Recommendation 33

Foundation apprenticeships have been welcomed by the sector. However, whilst these shorter apprenticeships rightly aim to help young people enter critical sectors, there are concerns about the Government’s decision not to target “everyday sectors”, such as the hospitality, retail and care sectors, when they were rolled out in August 2025; these sectors are major employers of young people and often serve as entry points into the workforce. Instead, the focus of foundation apprenticeships is on the eight growth-driving sectors identified by the Government in its industrial strategy. (Conclusion, Paragraph 130)