Apprenticeship units and foundation apprenticeships, explained.

Journey keeps units, foundation apprenticeships and standard apprenticeships on one funding and ILR record, so each is claimed under its own rules.

Apprenticeship units

Apprenticeship units are short courses that upskill existing employees. The units funding rules for August 2026 to July 2027 say learners must be 19 or over at the start (para 22.1), employed under a contract long enough to finish the unit (para 27), and working at least half their hours in England (para 22.5). Sole traders are not eligible (para 24.1). The approved units are listed on the Skills England website (para 25).

Each unit has a published minimum of between 30 and 140 delivery hours, and a full-time learner typically completes one in 1 to 16 weeks (para 40). Providers can plan more hours than the minimum, never fewer (para 47). Delivery hours must take place in normal working hours with the tutor and learner in the same physical or virtual space (para 46).

How units are funded

• Non-levy employers: government funds all training and assessment costs up to the funding rate (para 92).
• Levy payers with enough funds: paid from the levy account at the funding rate (para 73).
• Levy payers without enough funds, learners aged 19 to 24: government funds all costs up to the funding rate (para 93).
• Levy payers without enough funds, learners aged 25 or over: government pays 75% of the funding rate (paras 74 and 94).
• Anything above the funding rate is paid by the employer (para 95).

Providers are paid in two milestones: 30% once the learner has completed 30% of planned delivery hours, and 70% when all planned hours are complete with a successful outcome (para 72).

Foundation apprenticeships

Foundation apprenticeships have their own occupational standards on the Skills England website (para 159 of the apprenticeship funding rules). At the start, the apprentice must be aged 16 to 21, or 22 to 24 with an Education, Health and Care plan, care experience, or as a prisoner or prison leaver (para 160). Apprentices aged 22 to 24 must be told their employer will be made aware of that status, and if they do not consent they must not be placed on a foundation apprenticeship (paras 161 and 162). The provider must also be sure a foundation apprenticeship is the most suitable programme for the learner (para 164).

Use the free apprenticeship funding calculator to see the split for a standard apprenticeship, including the age rules and the hiring payment.

Primary sources

• Department for Work and Pensions, Apprenticeship unit funding rules: August 2026 to July 2027 — gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeship-unit-funding-rules-2026-to-2027/apprenticeship-unit-funding-rules-august-2026-to-july-2027 (accessed 15 October 2026).
• Department for Work and Pensions, Apprenticeship funding rules: August 2026 to July 2027, version 3 — gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeship-funding-rules-and-assessment-plan-guidance-2026-to-2027 (accessed 15 October 2026).
• Skills England, Apprenticeship units — skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeships/?types=ApprenticeshipUnit (accessed 15 October 2026).

• Who can take an apprenticeship unit?

  Employed learners aged 19 or over at the start, working at least half their hours in England, on a contract long enough to finish the unit. Sole traders are not eligible.

• How long is an apprenticeship unit?

  Each unit has a published minimum of 30 to 140 delivery hours, typically completed in 1 to 16 weeks by a full-time learner.

• Who can start a foundation apprenticeship?

  Apprentices aged 16 to 21, or aged 22 to 24 with an EHC plan, care experience, or as a prisoner or prison leaver, who consent to their employer being told.