Young people across the UK will be offered a year of paid training and work experience in the Armed Forces under a new government-backed “gap year” scheme
launching in 2026.
The Armed Forces Foundation Scheme, announced by the Ministry of Defence, will open to its first intake of around 150 participants from early next year, with placements available across the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. Ministers hope to expand the programme to more than 1,000 young people in the coming years, subject to demand.
Set to begin in March 2026, the scheme is aimed at under-25s who are uncertain about their next career steps, offering them the chance to gain military experience without committing to long-term service. Participants will undertake tailored training designed to build leadership, teamwork and problem-solving skills, boosting employability in both military and civilian careers.
Alongside classroom-based learning, the programme will include hands-on experiences such as elements of basic training and opportunities to serve at sea, giving recruits a first-hand insight into life in the Armed Forces.
The initiative forms part of the government’s wider push for a “whole of society” approach to defence, a central theme of this year’s Strategic Defence Review. Ministers say the scheme will help reconnect the public with the Armed Forces, raise awareness of their role, and equip young people with skills that strengthen national resilience.
The model is inspired by the Australian Defence Force’s long-running ADF Gap Year scheme, which has been operating for more than a decade and was highlighted in the UK’s Strategic Defence Review as an example worth emulating.
The announcement follows calls from the Chief of the Defence Staff, Sir Richard Knighton, for a whole-nation response to an increasingly volatile global security environment.
Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said: “This is a new era for Defence, and that means opening up new opportunities for young people to experience and learn from our Armed Forces.
This gap year scheme will give Britain’s young people a taste of the incredible skills and training on offer across the Army, Royal Navy and RAF. It’s part of our determination to reconnect society with our forces, and drive a whole of society approach to our nation’s defence.
As families come together at this time of year, and young people think about their futures, I want the outstanding opportunities on offer in our Armed Forces to be part of that conversation in homes across the UK”.
Minister for Veterans and People Louise Sandher-Jones MP said: “As a veteran, I know how invaluable the skills and experience gained by serving in the Armed Forces are not only in a military career, but in civilian life.
This scheme will provide a fantastic opportunity for school leavers and young adults to develop their potential, learn new skills, and contribute to our nation’s security, all while building resilience, teamwork, and leadership skills that will serve them for life”.
As well as developing leadership capabilities, the Foundation Scheme is intended to provide transferable skills relevant to civilian sectors such as logistics and engineering. Participants could, for example, work alongside Army supply chain specialists or engineers aboard Royal Navy vessels.
Initially operating as a pilot, the scheme is expected to expand over time, offering young people a structured introduction to military life without any obligation to remain beyond the year-long programme. Photo: Harland Quarrington/MOD, Wikimedia commons.