This Foundation apprenticeship has been published for information purposes. We plan to publish the funding band soon. Then starts on the apprenticeship will only be possible once a suitable assessment organisation has obtained Ofqual recognition. Once the assessment organisation has obtained Ofqual recognition, funding for apprentice starts will be permitted and this message will be removed.
Introduction
Foundation apprenticeships are employed positions and are for younger people who will benefit from a wide range of experiences. Each foundation apprenticeship provides a mix of employability skills and behaviours, technical knowledge and skills, and associated English and maths. It combines valuable hands-on practice in the workplace with off-the-job learning. The apprentice’s experiences will not only help them to grow their skills but will also help to inform their next career steps. Completion of this foundation apprenticeship will certify achievement of all of the technical knowledge and skills, together with all of the employability skills and behaviours described. The typical progression routes will likely include employment or progression onto another skills product such as a level 2 or level 3 apprenticeship.
Foundation apprenticeships benefit employers as they get to see the apprentice in work-based settings while the apprentice receives extra support. Employers also benefit from accessing a broader talent pool of young learners than they might otherwise do. Under DfE Apprenticeship funding Rules 25/26 the employer qualifies for up to £2,000 per foundation apprentice, subject to retention and progression.
Overview of the role
Retail service, supply and administration practitioners work across a range settings, for example in a such as food, fashion, building and automotive and manufacturing. The broad purpose is to support the administration of retail businesses, help provide excellent customer service and ultimately to ensure the efficient flow of goods and services between manufacturers and customers. Daily duties will vary dependent on where they work and whether their work is focused on working in an office or retail environment – they could also be working with a more skilled customer base, for example in trade supply.
This Foundation Apprenticeship requires a minimum 187 hours off-the-job learning. Upon successful completion, the apprentice will be competent in the knowledge, skills and behaviours outlined in this standard. Someone who completes some or all of this content will be part-way through a journey to a more specialist occupation. Taking another apprenticeship after this one is one way of progressing.
Entry requirements
The apprentice must normally be age 16 to 21 at the start of their apprenticeship. Exceptions to this are set out in the Department for Education Apprenticeship funding rules.
Information for providers
- Level 2 Retailer V 1.2 (ST0327) OCC0327
- Level 2 Trade Supplier V1.0 (ST0334) OCC034
- Level 3 Business Administrator V1.1 (ST0070) OCC0070
- Level 2 Customer Service Practitioner V1.2 (ST0072) OCC0072
Technical knowledge
K1: Introduction to the retail sector and how its service, supply and administration functions contribute to its operating environment.
K2: Typical business structures, values, products, brands, customers, targets, and how their role and responsibilities contribute to these.*
K3: The flow from supplier to distribution to store and customer.
K4: Key methods and techniques for determining diverse customer needs and meeting these with appropriate products or services.*
K5: Fundamental approaches for communicating with customers and service recovery.*
K6: Branding, visual standards, promotional activity and how these relate to merchandising.
K7: Key principles of stock management and loss prevention.*
K8: Fundamental digital tools and methods to support service, supply and administrative activities, including omnichannel basics.
K9: Teamworking values, requirements and approaches to support internal collaboration.
K10: Key regulatory and legislative requirements and methods to support key responsibilities, including the importance of their application.
K11: Key administrative approaches and organisational tools for time management, data handling and supporting workflow.*
K12: Key approaches and metrics to support continuous improvement.
K13: Fundamental principles of equality, diversity and inclusion.*
K14: Basic commercial concepts including promotions, availability, waste and shrink, and how accurate price labels, tidy shelves and date rotation support performance.*
Technical skills
S1: Identify customers’ needs and how products and services available can meet them.*
S2: Communicate with customers to support and recover excellent customer service.*
S3: Apply sales methods and techniques to support or influence the customer in their purchasing decisions.
S4: Apply branding principles to present products to standard and support organisational goals.
S5: Support the management and storage of stock.*
S6: Support sales goals and business objectives.
S7: Use digital tools to support service, supply and administrative activities.
S8: Use administrative approaches and organisational tools to handle data and support workflow.*
S9: Comply with regulatory and legislative requirements relevant to the role.
S10: Support continuous improvement activities.
S11: Explore career opportunities in the sector and your own development needs.
S12: Work in line with equity, diversity and inclusion principles.*
Employability skills and behaviours
EB1: Communicate and share information using verbal, non-verbal, written and digital methods.
EB2: Act in a professional manner including good time keeping and conduct.
EB3: Apply new learning and feedback to everyday practice.
EB4: Complete own work tasks and ask for help when needed.
EB5: Work with colleagues to contribute to team outcomes.
EB6: Seek ways to manage own financial, health and wellbeing needs using available resources.
EB7: Overcome challenges and adapt to changes at work.
EB8: Work in line with health, safety and environmental requirements.
English and maths
Functional English and maths
(*) Knowledge and skills statements which offer opportunities to develop functional English and maths are identified with an asterisk.
These are knowledge or skills statements which provide a learner with an opportunity to utilise English and maths in a workplace. This could include reading instructions, measuring or recording information.
English and maths qualifications
Apprentices must follow the English and maths formal qualification requirements as set out in the Department for Education Apprenticeship funding rules.
Mandatory qualifications or licence to practice
There are no mandatory qualifications or license to practice requirements for this occupation.
Assessment details
- a knowledge test
- a practical assessment
Assessment outcomes
| Assessment Outcome | mapping |
|---|---|
| AO1 The retail sector and its service, supply and administration functions - Demonstrates understanding of the retail sector, their organisation and role, and complies with legislation, policies and ways of working. | K1, K2*, K3, K10, K14*, S9, S11 |
| AO2 Providing high-quality customer service – Demonstrates knowledge and skills essential to providing high-quality customer service. | K4*, K5*, S1*, S2*, S3 |
| AO3 Working together to support the sales process – Demonstrates knowledge and skills key to supporting the sales process, collaborating to support management processes and sales goals. | K6, K7*, K8, K9, K11*, K12, K13*, S4, S5*, S6, S7, S8*, S10, S12* |
(*) English and maths are important to Foundation Apprenticeships. Knowledge and skills statements which offer opportunities to develop functional English and maths are identified with an asterisk. Please see the occupational standard for further details.
Performance descriptor
- Reliably
- Effectively
- To an appropriate degree for the level of the standard
Assessment Requirements
Access to work: Legislation, policies and ways of working in a retail settingAO1 The retail sector and its service, supply and administration functions
Access to work knowledge and skills are fundamental to employment in occupations related to this Foundation Apprenticeship. These knowledge and skills are mapped to AO1. Where acquiring these knowledge and skills is required to access the workplace, this assessment should happen early in the programme.
The assessment of knowledge in AO1 must be AO set and marked. This may be in a single assessment or more than one assessment, providing there is no duplication of content. Digital assessment methods should be prioritised, where appropriate.
Technical Knowledge and Skills
AO2 Providing high-quality customer service
AO3 Working together to support the sales process
Technical knowledge and skills are areas of technical ability in related occupations. These knowledge and skills are mapped to AO2 and AO3.
AO2 describes those knowledge and skills essential to providing high quality customer service in line with business standards. AO3 describes those knowledge and skills specifically associated with supporting the sales process, collaborating to support management processes and sales goals.
The AO must ensure that a foundation apprentice is assessed on AO2 and AO3. This may be in a single assessment or more than one assessment, providing there is no duplication of content.
Employability skills and behaviours
Version log
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | Not set | Not set |
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