Foundation apprenticeships are being introduced as part of a broader effort to modernise and improve the apprenticeship system. The goal is to make apprenticeships more accessible, flexible, and better aligned with the evolving needs of young people and the wider economy.

These apprenticeships are part of the UK’s broader strategy to tackle workforce shortages and boost youth employment.

What is a foundation apprenticeship? Let’s break it down:

• It’s a Level 2, entry-level apprenticeship.

• They’re designed for young people aged 16–21 (or up to 25 for eligible individuals) to gain paid work experience, core skills, and technical training.

• They require a minimum duration of eight months.

• English and maths are studied if not yet passed, but passing isn’t mandatory to complete the apprenticeship.

• They offer clear progression into and alignment with existing skills products, including apprenticeships that are more advanced or more occupationally specific

• The first programmes officially launch on 1 August 2025, with seven initial standards available across priority areas such as:

  • Construction and the Built Environment

  • Engineering and Manufacturing

  • Health and Social Care

  • Digital and IT

A full list of foundation apprenticeships can be found below, with more detail on each standard on the Skills England website.

• Health and social care

• Building service engineering

• Engineering and manufacturing

• Finishing trades

• Onsite trades

• Hardware, network and infrastructure

• Software and data

For more information on how TQUK are supporting you with foundation apprenticeships, check out our FAQs on The Hive.

Shorter Duration Apprenticeships (SDAs) are where competence can be achieved in less than 12 months.

From 1 August 2025, the Department for Education (DfE) have officially reduced the minimum duration of apprenticeships to eight months, down from 12 months.

The core objectives of this reduction are to:

• upskill new and existing employees to reach full occupational competence, meeting employer needs and contributing to economic growth

• support skills development in occupations where competence usually can be reached in less than 12 months

• recognise relevant prior knowledge and skills and allow competence to be reached more quickly (in less than 12 months).

This reduction is applicable only to new starts from 1 August 2025. It does not include existing learners, restarts and those who come back from a break in learning.

There’s been a bit of buzz around SDAs, with a few different terms being used. Let’s break them down and clarify what each one means:

• Condensed: The same knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) are covered, but delivered over a shorter timeframe using a model that fits industry patterns—like seasonal roles or the academic year.

• Shorter: Following a review of the apprenticeship standard, some knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) may be removed if they’re not essential for demonstrating occupational competence.

• (More) Accelerated: Designed for apprentices who start with relevant prior learning, allowing them to reach occupational competence in less than the usual 12-month timeframe.

The newly reduced minimum duration of eight months now applies to all apprenticeship standards - both foundation and specialist.

In addition, three specific standards have had their typical duration officially updated to eight months. This change reflects the understanding that, for these roles, someone with no prior experience or knowledge can realistically achieve full occupational competence within that timeframe. These standards are:

• Level 2 Dual Fuel Smart Meter Installer

• Level 2 Healthcare Support Worker

• Level 3 Production Assistant (Screen and Audio)

Since day one, our commitment has always been to our customers. You’re at the heart of everything we do, and as the apprenticeship landscape goes through its biggest transformation in years, that commitment is only growing stronger. The apprenticeship sector is entering a new chapter, and with it comes questions, challenges, and most importantly, opportunities.

That’s why we’re proud to introduce The Hive - our brand-new, customer-only hub designed to support, inform and empower you through every stage of the upcoming apprenticeship reforms.

The Hive is your go-to destination for exclusive webinars, blogs, thought leadership pieces and sector updates. It’s a space created just for you, offering timely, relevant, and important information to help you navigate the changes with confidence and assurance that TQUK is always by your side. Whether you’re looking for expert insight on policy developments, or a deeper understanding of how changes will affect you and your apprentices, The Hive has you covered.

With eight years of EPA expertise, we’re proud to be a trusted voice for both our customers and the wider sector. As chair of the Federation of Awarding Bodies End-Point Assessment forum and a chosen member of the Skills England Assessment Reform Reference Group, we’re actively involved in shaping the future of apprenticeships.

We’re committed to sharing insight, testing new ideas, and seeking feedback from our customers to help inform and influence key policy developments across the sector.

With The Hive, you’ll get:

• timely access to key sector updates

• exclusive webinars with TQUK experts and policy influencers

• actionable advice tailored to your organisation

• a trusted support network during every phase of reform

• topic-specific drop-in clinics with live Q&A sessions.

In times of change, who you work with matters. At TQUK, we’ve built our reputation on responsiveness, reliability and results. Drawing on our deep-rooted expertise and longstanding involvement in the sector, we ensure our customers are informed, prepared and supported.

This isn’t just a hub - it’s a promise. A promise that you won’t have to navigate these reforms alone. Welcome to The Hive. Let’s shape the future of apprenticeships together.

Andrew Walker, Managing Director