Catering and Hospitality Foundation Apprenticeship

Summary

Give a young person their first opportunity in hospitality while developing the practical skills and behaviours your business needs.

It gives you a supported way to bring fresh talent into your business, build the skills you need and create a clear route into a lasting hospitality career.

Recruit for potential, not previous experience
Develop skills around your workplace and standards
Build an early talent pipeline
Receive specialist recruitment and training support

Key Learnings

A Foundation Apprenticeship gives a young person the chance to experience the world of hospitality, build practical skills and grow in confidence through real, on-the-job experience.

Customer service and communication
Food, drink and hospitality operations
Teamwork and professionalism
Health, safety and workplace standards

What is Catering and Hospitality Foundation Apprenticeship?

Not every young person leaving school or college is ready to jump straight into a full apprenticeship. Sometimes, they just need the opportunity to get started.

A Foundation Apprenticeship gives a young person the chance to experience the world of hospitality, build practical skills and grow in confidence through real, on-the-job experience.

For employers, it’s a great way to bring new talent into your business, help them understand the industry and see their potential develop first-hand.

It bridges the gap between education and a full apprenticeship, giving both you and the young person the confidence to decide what comes next.

Think of it as the first step into hospitality, with the potential to become the start of a brilliant career.

Entry

This apprenticeship is designed for young people aged 16 to 21.

Some 22 to 24-year-olds are also eligible, including those with an Education, Health and Care Plan, care experience, or prison leaver status.

Duration

The minimum duration of this apprenticeship is 8 months

Progression

The next step after completing this Foundation Apprenticeship is a level 2 or level 3 apprenticeship.

Cost / Funding

There is financial support available to help employers create Foundation Apprenticeship opportunities.

Our team will check what applies to your business and support you to maximise the incentives and funding available.

Incentives

You may be eligible for up to £5,000 in combined employer incentives:

Up to £2,000 Foundation Apprenticeship incentive, paid at participation and progression milestones.
Up to £2,000 For an eligible non-levy employer hiring an eligible 16 to 24-year-old from 1 October 2026.
£1,000 Additional payment for an apprentice aged 16 to 18, or an eligible 19 to 24-year-old with additional support needs.

Training funding

The programme has a maximum funding band of £3,500. Eligible SMEs may receive fully funded training and assessment.

National Insurance support

Qualifying apprentices under 25 attract 0% employer Class 1 National Insurance up to the relevant threshold.

Level

Level 2

Professional support

HIT Training assigns a designated Vocational Trainer to each apprentice. Alongside the apprentice they will agree on a personal learning and development plan, setting a timetable of learning activities in preparation for the Apprenticeship Assessment (AA).

The HIT Vocational Trainer will meet with the apprentice regularly either online or face to face to complete and review assessments, provide further coaching where required and agree the next steps of learning.

Download our factsheet