Shaping Futures

The AA Educates ‘Shaping Futures’ programme is a transformative 39-week journey designed to equip students from low-income backgrounds with the 8 essential skills, including Teamwork, Leadership, effective communication and Problem Solving. Beyond skill-building, the programme connects students with leading organisations for immersive workshops and career days, offering hands-on exposure to professional environments. Mentorship from industry experts plays a vital role, providing guidance tailored to each student’s talents and aspirations. By raising aspirations and opening pathways to diverse careers, the Shaping Futures programme empowers students to envision and achieve success beyond school, fostering a clear, achievable roadmap for their future.

The ‘Shaping Futures’ programme integrates essential skills icons in all materials, with students beginning by evaluating their skills through the Benchmark platform and identifying areas for growth. Career mentors use students' personal development plans to tailor workplace experiences and real-world tasks that focus on these target skills, providing practical application and feedback. Throughout, students create resources—like skill journals, presentations and project summaries—to reflect on their growth and solidify their understanding of the skills learned, ensuring both skill retention and measurable progress.