Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to help ensure that foundation apprenticeship routes provide progression into (a) full apprenticeships and (b) employment.

Foundation apprenticeships are jobs with training which provide a broad grounding in an entry level occupation, leading to opportunities for progression to a more specific or higher-level apprenticeship. In addition to vocational skills, they develop common behaviours needed by those new to the workplace which include employability skills, resilience and commitment to personal development.

Once someone has achieved a foundation apprenticeship, they can progress onto a more specific or higher-level apprenticeship and the learning from their foundation apprenticeship will support this transition. Each occupational standard will make possible progression routes clear.

The foundation apprenticeship options published in August are underpinned by an employer incentive payment of up to £2,000 to contribute to the extra costs of supporting someone at the beginning of their career. It will be paid in three instalments the first two spread across the foundation apprenticeship, with the final payment made when an apprentice progresses onto their next apprenticeship.