Spotlight on Aberdeen: A place-based approach to lifelong learning

Ufi VocTech Trust, in partnership with Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council, North East Scotland College, Learning and Work Institute and key local organisations, have launched an innovative place-based collaboration to boost adult participation in learning across Aberdeen.

Why Aberdeen?

The Aberdeen City and Shire regions are navigating significant socio-economic shifts. An ageing population, declining employment figures, and barriers to learning have all impacted the local labour market. Many young people have disengaged from education due to negative past experiences, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Adults seeking to retrain or change careers often face unclear pathways, along with cost and time constraints.

Leveraging local strengths

Aberdeen is home to a network of high-quality educational institutions. North East Scotland College (NESCol), Robert Gordon University, and the University of Aberdeen provide a strong foundation for learning. While the region faces significant challenges, these institutions are well-positioned to support a renewed effort to widen access to vocational and lifelong learning.

Led by the City Council, Aberdeenshire Council and NESCol, and supported by Ufi VocTech Trust and Learning and Work Institute, this new programme of work will leverage local strengths and existing networks to respond to the needs of local learners and employers.

Group of adults working on laptops
A digital-first, people-centred approach

At the heart of our collaborative project are two new interconnected digital programmes tailored to school leavers and adult returners and aligned to the Regional Economic Strategy. Using innovative technology the programmes will offer:

  • Personalised pathways to training and employment
  • Meta-skills development including communication, digital literacy, and problem-solving
  • Confidence-building modules covering study skills, budgeting, support networks and visits to educational institutions
  • Digital badges to track achievements and demonstrate readiness to progress

To make opportunities more visible and relatable, content will include "Day in the Life" videos, real-life career stories, and salary insights — all aimed at clarifying local career options.

Each programme will offer targeted learning and support experiences, designed in collaboration with key regional stakeholders including Skills Development Scotland, local councils, colleges, universities, and employer networks.

Blended, flexible delivery

Recognising the geographic and practical barriers learners face, the programmes will use a blended delivery model combining online learning, virtual work experiences, and face-to-face sessions.

NESCol’s existing Virtual Learning Environment ensures accessibility on any device, making this initiative especially relevant for rural and hard-to-reach communities.

Man working on a tablet in a cafe
Meeting learners where they are

The programmes are designed to be flexible and inclusive:

  • School leavers will benefit from digital upskilling and early exposure to career pathways.
  • Adult returners will access confidence-building resources and flexible study formats.
  • Those facing redundancy will find retraining aligned with emerging local sectors.

Secondary beneficiaries include local employers, who gain access to a skilled workforce, and the broader community, which benefits from reduced poverty, improved wellbeing, and economic resilience.

Creating a lasting legacy

This place-based collaboration represents a bold new way of working — combining regional insight, digital innovation, and inclusive design to drive economic resilience and lifelong learning across the North East of Scotland.

Beyond immediate learning outcomes, the programme aims to deliver long-term impact:

  • A skilled, adaptable workforce for local employers.
  • Improved wellbeing and reduced poverty across the region.
  • Sustainable digital infrastructure that continues to support career development and workforce planning.

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The work forms part of our VocTech Challenge programme, Skills for an Economy in Transition.

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