The first seven foundation apprenticeships, introduced under radical government plans to reshape skills and training delivery in the UK, have now been unveiled.
They include three programmes for the construction sector, two for digital, one for engineering and manufacturing and one for health and social care.
Full details of each of these apprenticeships standards, their duration and available funding, can be found on the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education's (IfATE )website.
As part of its wider reforms, the UK Government wants to shift the focus of apprenticeship schemes to young people aged under 21 and create more openings for school leavers classed as 'Neet', not in education, employment or training.
It plans to open up 120,000 new training opportunities so that the future generation of builders, engineers, IT staff and carers can develop skills in the sectors that need them most.
To achieve this, the DfE is implementing a number of changes, including raising the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) by 32%, which it says, will 'deliver up to 45,000 more training places to upskill the domestic workforce and reduce reliance on migration in priority sectors'. (The ISC is a fee UK employers pay when sponsoring skilled workers from abroad under certain visa routes.)
The government has also confirmed that funding will be removed from level 7 apprentice programmes - the highest-level apprenticeships - from January 2026, while maintaining support for those aged 16-21 and existing apprentices.
What is a Foundation apprenticeship?
Foundation apprenticeships are paid training positions for people aged 16 to 21. Available for delivery from August 1 2025, they will give younger learners a mix of job skills and behaviours, technical knowledge and skills, and English and maths.
As with other levels of apprenticeship, they combine off-the-job learning with valuable hands-on, workplace-based experience.
When they've finished their foundation course, learners are likely to move on to employment or continue their training via programmes such as level 2 or level apprenticeships.
Unveiling the first seven foundation apprenticeships
This standard is aimed at addressing the skills needs of industries such as plumbing, heating and air conditioning and green industries such as solar thermal installation, heat pump and renewable heating engineering.
Finishing trades relates to painters and decorators, wall tilers and floor layers.
Construction trades covered by this standard include site carpentry and joinery as well as plastering and bricklaying.
This digital technology course is relevant to a range of IT-based occupations including network cable installer, cybersecurity technician, digital device repair technician and IT solutions technician.
Focused on the software and data elements of the digital space, this course offers a foundation for roles such as data technician, software development technician and digital support technician.
This standard is for general engineering and manufacturing operatives working in a whole host of different sectors and roles. Industries to which it can be applied include automotive, aerospace and energy, general engineering and advanced manufacturing.
Foundation apprentices on this course will be trained to work as HSC support assistants in health and care settings such as care homes, hospitals and out in the wider community.
Progamme duration
Each of the seven foundation programmes will typically take eight months to gateway - reflecting the government's decision to cut the minimum of length of apprenticeships by four months to speed up completion times.
However, shorter durations will only be possible once the law has been revised to allow it. Once the legislation is in place, Skills England - which is replacing IfATE - will formally confirm that the apprenticeship is ready for use.
Funding
Maximum funding bands for the initial seven foundation apprenticeships range from £3,000 for the Health and Social Care programme to £4,500 for the Engineering and Manufacturing course. The other five courses qualify for maximum funding of up to £4,000 per foundation apprentice.
To develop these foundation apprenticeships, IfATE has sought the views of professional bodies and regulators, end-point assessment organisations and training providers.
Announcing the latest measures to rebuild Britain through apprenticeship and skills training reforms Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said:
"A skilled workforce is the key to steering the economy forward, and today we're backing the next generation by giving young people more opportunities to learn a trade, earn a wage, achieve, and thrive.
When we invest in skills for young people, we invest in a shared, stronger economic future - creating opportunities as part of our Plan for Change.
But everyone has a role to play in a thriving economy, and we're taking our responsibility seriously providing more routes into employment. It's now the responsibility of young people to take them."
As foundation apprenticeships launch in 2025, platforms like Onefile will be key to their success - helping providers track progress, manage training and deliver quality learning. With the right digital tools in place, these programmes can open new doors for young people and build a stronger, more skilled workforce for the future.
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