Foundation apprenticeship
Training providerWhat are foundation apprenticeships?
Foundation apprenticeships are jobs with training at Level 2 that provide a broad curriculum focusing on job-specific knowledge and skills, while also developing employability skills and behaviours to support the transition from education to work.
They offer entry-level occupational competence and support employers in key sectors to meet their current and future skills needs.
Foundation apprenticeships are available for young people aged 16 to 21, and up to 24 for those with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), care leavers, or prisoners and prison leavers.
Available foundation apprenticeships
Foundation apprenticeships are already available in:
- Construction and the built environment
- Digital
- Engineering and manufacturing
- Health and social care
From April 2026, new foundation apprenticeships will be available in:
- Catering and hospitality
- Retail service, supply and administration
These can also be found on the Skills England website.
Expansion into other sectors
We will continue to work with Skills England to identify sectors where there is employer demand for foundation apprenticeships and where they will be suitable with clear progression routes while ensuring affordability.
Funding
Foundation apprenticeships are funded in the same way as all other apprenticeships.
You can find more information in the funding rules.
The funding rules for 2026/27 will be available soon.
Duration
Foundation apprenticeships have a minimum duration of 8 months, in line with other apprenticeships. The minimum hours of study for each foundation apprenticeship are set out in each standard.
English and maths requirements
Young people aged 16 to 18 who do not hold a Level 1 or Level 2 English and maths qualification will be required to study towards the relevant qualification. More detail can be found within the funding rules.
Employer payment
Employers can receive up to £2,000 to help with the costs of taking on a young person for a foundation apprenticeship and supporting their progression.
We pay this in three equal instalments, at day 90, day 242 (8 months) and the final payment when an apprentice progresses onto their next apprenticeship.
Decisions on whether future foundation apprenticeships will have an incentive payment will be made on a case-by-case basis and set out on each published standard.
More detail can be found within the funding rules. The funding rules for 2026/27 will be available soon.
Provider responsibilities for employer incentive payments
Training providers must pay employers the incentive within 30 working days of receiving the funds from government.
You will need to confirm that the apprentice is eligible before making each payment.
If an apprentice has an EHCP plan or has been in care, you must get the apprentice's agreement before sharing this information with the employer and before making any payments.
Progression
On achievement of a foundation apprenticeship, an apprentice can progress onto a more specific or higher-level apprenticeship.
The duration of that apprenticeship may be reduced to take into account the prior learning or experience obtained from the foundation apprenticeship. The next apprenticeship must still have a remaining duration of at least 8 months and comply with off-the-job training requirements.
Each new occupational standard clearing outlines possible progression routes.
Updating Find apprenticeship training
If you offer foundation apprenticeships, you should update your Find apprenticeship training details through your apprenticeship service account.
This ensures employers and prospective apprentices can find your provision.
Toolkit and resources
Download our foundation apprenticeship toolkit to help with the delivery of foundation apprenticeships to employers. The toolkit will support you in explaining the benefits of foundation apprenticeships and how they can help employers develop a skilled workforce for the future.
We will continue to iterate the toolkit based on provider feedback.
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