Could your business benefit from a foundation apprenticeship?

Skills England has introduced new foundation apprenticeships as an entry route into a career for young people (16-24) with the aim of increasing the work readiness of a young workforce.

These can offer employers many benefits, including an enthusiastic trained workforce equipped with essential sector skills plus financial incentives for your business.

We are keen to build further on our employer responsive apprenticeships offer to local businesses and we’re now calling for expressions of interest from businesses who feel this programme may benefit them by providing a talent pipeline. We also welcome any questions you might have about how the programme might work for you.

A male electrical engineer wearing protective goggles programmes a PLC machine in an engineering lab

What sectors can benefit from foundation apprenticeships?

Foundation apprenticeships are currently available in the following sectors:

Construction and the built environment

Building service engineering
Finishing trades (such as painting and decorating)
Onsite trades

Digital

Hardware, network and infrastructure
Software and data

Engineering and Manufacturing

Engineering and Manufacturing Foundation Apprenticeship (Aligned with the following occupations)

Engineering operative – Engineering Operatives Working Within an Electrical & Electronic Engineering Role
Engineering operative – Engineering Operatives Working Within a Fabrication Role
Engineering operative – Engineering Operatives Working Within a Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering Role
Engineering operative – Engineering Operatives Working Within a Maintenance Role

FAQs

What is a foundation apprenticeship?

A foundation apprenticeship is an employed position – a job with built-in training provided jointly with the employer and training provider. Apprentices earn whilst they learn – the same as a standard apprenticeship.

Apprentices will develop job-specific experience and employability skills, working alongside experienced and qualified staff, providing a solid introduction to the industry.

Who would enrol on a foundation apprenticeship?

Anyone aged between 16–21 – or up to 24 years of age if they have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) – can enrol on a foundation apprenticeship. They’re open to anyone who wants to develop their knowledge of an occupation or sector whilst developing employability skills.

There is no cost to the apprentice, and eligible care leavers can access a £3,000 bursary, paid in three instalments throughout the programme.

How long does it take to complete?

Foundation apprenticeships can be completed in a minimum of eight months but can be extended to meet individual needs.

What are the entry requirements?

For 16–18 year olds who have not achieved their Maths and English GCSEs, studying towards these qualifications is mandatory (55 guided learning hours each), although taking the final exams is optional. For those aged 19–24, Maths and English are entirely optional.

What would apprentices learn?

Those enrolling on a foundation apprenticeship will learn job-specific expertise alongside off-the-job training to build confidence and employability skills, preparing them for progression to higher levels of work and study.

What are the financial benefits for employers?

Providers and employers receive a £1,000 payment from the Government for supporting 16–18-year-olds (paid in two equal instalments of £500 at 90 days and 242 days if still on the programme).

There is also an additional employer recruit and retain incentive, where employers receive £2,000 per foundation apprentice, paid in three instalments – 90 days (£667), 242 days (£667) – the remaining instalment (£666) is payable if the individual starts a new apprenticeship within six months of their completion date and remains with the same employer.

What happens after the foundation apprenticeship has been completed?

Foundation apprentices can progress onto another apprenticeship (Level 2 or 3), go straight into employment or choose to do further study.

Overall, foundation apprenticeships are designed to provide a flexible, funded entry point into the workforce for young people, with support and incentives for employers and providers to drive engagement and progression.