The first Foundation Apprenticeships officially launched on Friday 1 August 2025 and are now available for delivery, opening up fresh opportunities for employers across key sectors to build early-career talent pipelines.
This marks an important milestone in the government’s reform of the skills system, designed to widen access to apprenticeships and provide young people with a high-quality route into work.
What are foundation apprenticeships?
Foundation Apprenticeships are Level 2 programmes designed to give young people aged 16–21 a structured route into employment. Eligibility extends up to age 24 for those with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or who are care leavers.
Unlike longer apprenticeship programmes, Foundation Apprenticeships typically last around eight months, allowing employers to bring in new talent quickly while providing structured technical and workplace training. They combine:
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Technical knowledge
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Employability behaviours
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English and maths support
Key benefits for employers
Employers who take part will benefit from:
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Incentive payments of up to £2,000 per apprentice, helping cover the costs of onboarding, mentoring and workplace support.
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Shorter course duration, reducing the time to competence compared with traditional apprenticeships.
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A flexible funding model under the new Growth & Skills Levy, giving employers more freedom to use apprenticeship funds effectively.
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Streamlined assessment frameworks, supported by updated systems and tools such as ACE360, making delivery and progress tracking easier.
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A pathway to progression, with Foundation Apprenticeships acting as a stepping-stone into Level 2/3 and higher-level apprenticeships, supporting long-term workforce development.
Sectors covered
The first wave of Foundation Apprenticeships covers seven standards across high-demand sectors:
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Construction: Building Service Engineering, Finishing Trades, Onsite Trades
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Digital: Hardware, Network & Infrastructure; Software & Data
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Engineering & Manufacturing
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Health & Social Care
These areas have been identified as critical to future skills needs and offer employers a chance to invest in young talent at the very start of their careers.
Why this matters
The launch of Foundation Apprenticeships is part of the government’s wider strategy to boost entry-level apprenticeship opportunities and rebalance investment across the skills system. By creating shorter, more accessible programmes, the reforms aim to:
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Increase the number of young people starting apprenticeships
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Meet sector demand for early-career talent
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Ensure employers are supported to take on and develop new recruits
Industry bodies such as EngineeringUK have welcomed the move, outlining success criteria to ensure these apprenticeships deliver high-quality, inclusive routes into work.
Get involved
Employers now have the opportunity to shape how Foundation Apprenticeships are delivered. The Department for Education has opened a Foundation Apprenticeship survey, running until 1 October 2025, inviting feedback from employers and providers on delivery plans and capacity.
By engaging now, employers can help build the next generation of skilled workers while benefiting from funding incentives and streamlined recruitment routes.
For more information on Foundation Apprenticeships and how to get involved, visit GOV.UK
