Choosing Foundation Training Support for Your Trainees: A Guide for Employers
For pharmacy owners and training leads: how to choose Pre-Reg Shortcuts support for your foundation trainees, by team size and supervisor capacity.
By Umar Majid ·
For most pharmacy employers, the Foundation Pharmacist Training Programme gives trainees what they need for the GPhC exam and the e-portfolio. Choose Programme Plus if your designated supervisors are stretched and you want us to provide one-to-one planning, check-ins, an approved training plan and our Designated Supervisor Programme. If you are enrolling several trainees, talk to us first so we can set things up across your sites.
This guide is for pharmacy owners, superintendents and training leads. It helps you match the support to your sites, your supervisors and your budget.
What you are really choosing
You are not just buying revision for the trainee. You are deciding how much of the training workload sits with your team and how much we take on.
| Foundation Pharmacist Training Programme | Programme Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Sites with confident, available supervisors | Busy sites, new supervisors, or groups wanting consistency |
| Lessons for GPhC Part 1 and Part 2 | Yes | Yes |
| Question bank and mock paper | Yes | Yes |
| Live webinars through the year | Yes | Yes |
| E-portfolio support | Yes | Yes |
| 1:1 tailored revision plan for each trainee | No | Yes |
| 1:1 progress check-in calls | No | Yes |
| Approved training plan to upload to the e-portfolio | No | Yes |
| Designated Supervisor Programme | No | Yes |
| Vaccination training discount | No | Yes |
| Free extension to the next sitting if a trainee is unsuccessful | Yes | Yes |
| Access | 365 days | 365 days |
A course-only Starter plan is also available, but for employers we usually recommend one of the two above, because the question practice, mock paper and e-portfolio support are where trainees most often fall behind.
Four questions to help you decide
1. How much time do your supervisors really have?
Your designated supervisor (DS) is responsible for progress reviews, evidence and final sign-off, often while running a busy dispensary. If that time is tight, Programme Plus takes on the planning and check-ins, and the Designated Supervisor Programme supports your DS directly. See our guide to your first year as a designated supervisor.
2. How many trainees and sites do you have?
- One or two trainees: either plan works. Choose on supervisor capacity.
- Several sites: consistency matters. The same plan for every trainee makes progress easier to track. See our multi-site checklist.
- More than 10 trainees: we run an in-person induction for your cohort. Contact us before enrolling.
3. What does it cost you if a trainee fails?
A trainee who does not pass cannot register, and you lose months of a pharmacist you were planning around. Community pharmacy trainees have historically had lower pass rates than those in hospital, usually because of busier sites and less protected time. Both plans include a free extension to the next sitting if a trainee is unsuccessful. Read when your trainee fails the GPhC exam.
4. Does your training plan meet NHS England's requirements?
Every site must submit a training plan through the e-portfolio. Programme Plus includes an approved training plan that you then tailor to each trainee. See how to write a foundation training plan.
Quick recommendations
| Your situation | Our suggestion |
|---|---|
| Independent pharmacy, experienced DS with protected time | Foundation Pharmacist Training Programme |
| Independent pharmacy, new or very busy DS | Programme Plus |
| Group with several sites | Programme Plus for consistency, or a mix. Talk to us first |
| More than 10 trainees | Contact us for an in-person induction and group set-up |
| Offering vaccination services | Programme Plus, for the vaccination training discount |
How the funding fits
Training sites in England receive £28,196 per foundation trainee in 2026/27 from NHS England, as a contribution to all hosting costs including salary, supervision and administration. Many employers see structured external support as part of protecting that investment. See our funding guide.
Quick answers
Which plan do most employers choose? It depends on supervisor capacity. Sites with stretched supervisors usually choose Programme Plus.
Can we enrol several trainees at once? Yes. Contact us so we can set up your cohort and, for more than 10 trainees, arrange an in-person induction.
Do you support designated supervisors? Yes. Programme Plus includes our Designated Supervisor Programme.
What happens if a trainee fails? Both plans include a free extension to the next sitting.
Can we pay monthly? Interest-free monthly payment options are available at checkout, subject to status. Contact us about group arrangements.
Let's find the right fit for your team
Tell us how many trainees you have, where they are based and how much time your supervisors have. We will recommend the right plan and set everything up so your trainees start the year with a clear plan.
Contact us or email info@preregshortcuts.com. You can also compare all plans.