—By Samantha Sawyer, CEO of Accelerate People
Accelerate People is proud to have been officially approved to assess digital foundation apprenticeships. This isn't just another accreditation, it marks a pivotal shift for the apprenticeship system as it tackles the entry gap head-on.
Foundation apprenticeships are designed to address a long-standing problem: too many capable learners lack a structured, credible route into technical training. Pre-apprenticeship provision has been inconsistent, with limited employer alignment or progression. Foundation apprenticeships offer a meaningful alternative: structured, employer-connected, and focused on progression, not just completion. These qualifications are shorter programs, typically eight months in duration, aimed at 16–21-year-olds (with certain exceptions up to age 24 for care-experienced and EHCP-holders). They sit at Level 2 and are funded up to £4,000, with employers eligible for up to £2,000 per apprentice contingent on retention and progression.
At Accelerate People, we’re bringing the same ambition and rigour to foundation standards that define our assessment work. That means contextualised, competency-based assessment. That means progression built in from day one, not as an afterthought. And it means leveraging technology at every step. From hardware, network and infrastructure to software development and data, our foundation apprenticeship routes will support learners in cultivating the digital capabilities demanded by today’s tech-driven industries. It’s a further stride toward enabling learners not just to enter work but to thrive in modern, high-growth sectors.
Assessment design remains central. These are not lightweight programmes - they are employment-based, with standards that combine technical knowledge, workplace behaviours, and English and maths development where required. Assessment must still be valid, reliable, and aligned to the occupational needs employers expect our learners to meet. This isn’t about lowering the barrier, it’s about building the first rung on a ladder. Entry-level does not mean low value. It means potential. It means progress. If the sector treats foundation apprenticeships as a ‘lite’ option, we risk undermining credibility before the route has a chance to take hold.
Delivering these properly requires collaboration. Providers need existing delivery environments and employer partnerships. Employers need early engagement and assessment models that reflect entry-level workplace reality. And assessment organisations must ensure transparent design, moderated consistency, and progression pathways into full standards.
The window to shape this new route properly is narrow. But if done well, it could become the most significant access route the system has ever delivered, unlocking opportunities for learners, supporting employers’ early-talent pipelines, and elevating the apprenticeship brand.
We’ve started building our provision for the foundation apprenticeships, contact us now to collaborate with us and help shape the assessments.
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👀Coming Next Week
From August 1st, new shorter-duration apprenticeships come into effect. We’ll explore the opportunities they unlock for learners and employers alike — and the potential pitfalls to avoid. Is faster always better?
Apprenticeship Insights: is a ClickZ Media publication in the Education division