Foundation apprenticeships
What are foundation apprenticeships?
Foundation apprenticeships are Level 2 paid jobs with structured training, designed to help young people build workplace confidence, technical skills and employability skills at the start of their career. They act as a stepping stone into employment or progression onto a more specific Level 2 or Level 3 apprenticeship.
They are designed for young people aged 16 to 21, or 22 to 24 if they have an EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan), are a care leaver, or are a prisoner/prison leaver. They have a minimum duration of eight months, with the minimum learning hours set out in each standard.
- Industries actively encouraging foundation apprenticeships are:
- Construction and the built environment
- Engineering and Manufacturing
- Digital Industries
- Health and Social Care
- Catering and Hospitality
- Retail service, Supply and Administration
The official Skills England occupational maps glossary says foundation apprenticeships typically last eight months and are designed to support progression to more specialised Level 2 or Level 3 apprenticeships, or directly into employment.
What are the benefits for the employer?
1. Build an early talent pipeline
Foundation apprenticeships allow employers to bring in young people at the beginning of their career and develop them in line with the organisation’s values, ways of working and skills needs. This can support succession planning and help create a future pipeline into Level 3 apprenticeships or permanent roles.
2. Fill entry-level skills gap
They can help employers recruit into areas where it is difficult to find experienced staff, particularly in sectors such as construction, digital, engineering, health and social care, hospitality, retail and administration.
3. Acess funded training support
For smaller employers, government funding can cover between 95% and 100% of apprenticeship training costs, depending on the apprentice’s age and eligibility. From August 2026, government guidance says non-levy employers will receive 100% funding for apprenticeship training and assessment costs for apprentices aged 16 to 24.
4. Receive additional employer support
Employers taking on an eligible foundation apprentice may receive up to £2,000 to support the costs of employment, paid through the training provider in instalments. This can help with costs such as uniform, equipment, travel or workplace support.
5. Support young people into work
Foundation apprenticeships are designed to help more young people access employment and training. Taking on a foundation apprentice can therefore support an employer’s social value commitments, community impact and contribution to developing the local workforce. Government announcements have positioned foundation apprenticeships as part of wider efforts to support more young people into work and training.
6. Shape skills from the start
Because the apprentice is learning while working, employers can shape their skills, behaviours and understanding of the workplace from day one. This can be particularly valuable for roles where attitude, reliability and willingness to learn are just as important as prior experience.
What is the difference between a foundation apprenticeship and a standard apprenticeship?
| Foundation Apprenticeship | Standard Apprenticeship |
| Introductory Level 2 route. | Ranges from Level 2 to Level 7, depending on the occupation. |
| Designed for young people starting out. | Open to apprentices aged 16+ who meet eligibility requirements. |
| Builds confident, employability and sector knowledge. | Trains the apprentice for a specific job role. |
| Often supports progression to another apprenticeship or employment. | Supports progression into skilled employment or higher-level roles. |
What funding is available for employers taking on a foundation apprentices?
| Cost of funding area | What employers need to know |
| Apprentice wages | Employers must pay the apprentice’s wages and meet employment responsibilities. |
| Training and assessment | May be funded through levy funds, government funding or employer contribution, depending on employer type and eligibility. |
| Employer incentive | Eligible employers may receive up to £2,000 per foundation apprentice, subject to retention and progression requirements. |
| Additional costs | Employers may need to cover uniform, equipment, travel, supervision or workplace support. |
Employers must pay apprentices at least the National Minimum Wage and pay them for time spent training or studying as part of the apprenticeship. Skills England and GOV.UK guidance state that eligible employers may receive up to £2,000 for eligible foundation apprenticeships, subject to conditions.
