Foundation Apprenticeship in Hospitality and Catering

Inspiring the next generation of hospitality talent

At Umbrella Training, we are passionate about supporting employers to grow their future workforce and helping young people take their first confident steps into hospitality.

The Foundation Apprenticeship in Hospitality and Catering is a paid, entry‑level apprenticeship designed to introduce young people to the world of hospitality, while giving employers the chance to develop talent from the very start.

This programme combines real work experience, structured training, and ongoing support, giving apprentices the skills, confidence, and understanding they need to progress into long‑term roles within the industry.

What is a Foundation Apprenticeship?

The Foundation Apprenticeship in Hospitality and Catering is a Level 2 apprenticeship approved by Skills England.

Foundation apprenticeships are employed roles. Apprentices work as part of your team while completing structured training alongside their job.

The programme typically lasts around 8 months and includes:

• Paid employment in a hospitality setting

• Hands‑on learning in the workplace

• Off‑the‑job training delivered by Umbrella Training

• Development of employability skills and behaviours

• English and maths support where needed

The aim is simple. To help young people build confidence, understand the sector, and make informed decisions about their next career step.

Who are Foundation Apprenticeships for?

Foundation Apprenticeships are designed for young people aged:

• 16 to 21

• 22 to 24 for eligible learners, including care leavers and those with an Education, Health and Care Plan

These are young people who may be new to work or need extra support to become workplace‑ready. Many benefit from experiencing different roles within hospitality before committing to a specific pathway.

With the right structure and support, they can become motivated, reliable, and committed members of your team.

What roles will apprentices experience?

Foundation apprentices typically work in entry‑level hospitality or catering assistant roles, supporting day‑to‑day operations.

They may experience duties across areas such as:

• Food preparation and kitchen support

• Food and drink service

• Customer service and guest interaction

• Housekeeping or front of house support

• Health, safety, and food hygiene practices

Umbrella Training works with you to ensure the role is meaningful, safe, and aligned to your business needs.

Why get involved as an employer?

A Foundation Apprenticeship can help you to:

• Attract young people into hospitality

• Build talent early and shape future team members

• Assess long‑term fit before progressing to higher apprenticeships

• Develop mentoring and leadership skills within your team

• Increase workforce capacity with structured support in place

Many employers find that apprentices bring enthusiasm, fresh energy, and a genuine desire to learn.

Employment and pay

Foundation apprentices are employees, not trainees.

This means employers must:

• Employ the apprentice under a contract of employment

• Pay at least the apprenticeship minimum wage

• Provide a safe working environment and appropriate supervision

• No employer National Insurance, For apprentices under 25 and access to the apprenticeship minimum wage.

Many hospitality employers also choose to offer additional support such as:

• Meals on duty

• Uniform

• Help with travel costs

We encourage approaches that help apprentices feel welcomed and valued from day one.

What are employer responsibilities?

Employers are expected to provide:

• A safe, meaningful job role

• Day‑to‑day supervision and on‑the‑job learning

• Time for off‑the‑job training

• Regular feedback and progress discussions

Where possible, employers are encouraged to offer progression opportunities at the end of the programme, although this is not mandatory.

Umbrella Training supports you throughout, making the process simple and manageable.

How Umbrella Training supports you

Umbrella Training will:

• Assess each apprentice’s starting point

• Build an individual learning and training plan

• Deliver off‑the‑job training and employability support

• Support English and maths development where required

• Work closely with you to monitor progress

We understand the realities of hospitality and work flexibly around shift patterns and business needs.

Funding and incentives

Foundation Apprenticeships are designed to make it easier and more affordable for employers to invest in young talent.

Training costs

The cost of training and assessment for a Foundation Apprenticeship is covered through the apprenticeship funding system.

The maximum funding band for the Foundation Apprenticeship in Hospitality and Catering is £3,500, which covers the delivery of off‑the‑job training, assessment, and ongoing support from Umbrella Training.

Employer incentive payment

Employers may be eligible to receive up to £2,000 per Foundation Apprentice, subject to retention and progression requirements set out in the Department for Education funding rules.

This incentive is designed to support employers in the additional time and commitment required to recruit and develop a young person early in their career.

Umbrella Training will guide you through eligibility criteria and payment timelines, helping you understand what funding you can expect and when.

Support for small and medium‑sized businesses

Government funding reforms have been designed to remove barriers for smaller employers, particularly when employing young people.

Eligible small and medium‑sized employers benefit from full funding of training costs for young apprentices, reducing financial risk and making Foundation Apprenticeships accessible for hospitality businesses of all sizes.

This creates an opportunity for SMEs to grow their workforce without the pressure of large training fees.

Progression and next steps

The goal of a Foundation Apprenticeship is progression. The typical progression routes will likely include employment or progression onto another skills product such as a level 2 or level 3 apprenticeship.  

Following completion, apprentices may move into:

• Commis Chef Level 2

• Food & Beverage Team Member Level 2

• Accommodation Team Member Level 2

Completing the programme gives apprentices the confidence, experience, and skills needed to take the next step.