Create animated assets and content, by producing the motions, gestures, expressions and performance of two or three dimensional characters and inanimate objects.
Apprentices learn to create animated characters, objects and scenes across 2D, stop motion, and other production methods. Core skills include timing and spacing, key frame creation, in-betweening, rotoscoping, and shot breakdown. Apprentices also develop knowledge of anatomy and how it affects movement, storyboard interpretation, vector graphics, and shot composition. The standard includes a core plus four specialist options, with the chosen option determined by the employer's area of work, whether that is traditional hand-drawn, digital 2D, stop motion, or another specialism.
Working under an Animation Lead, Supervisor or Director, apprentices produce key frames and in-between frames for assigned scenes, then refine and clean up their output based on director feedback. Week to week, this involves interpreting storyboards and scene layouts, working within production schedules, managing and exporting animation files for review, and using industry-standard software appropriate to the project. Stop motion options will involve adjusting physical models and camera setups. Collaboration with other animators and departments is regular, and some projects may involve irregular hours when working across time zones.
Completion supports progression to an Animator role, and with experience, to Animation Lead or Supervisor positions. Employers span a wide range of studios producing content for children's television, feature film, advertising, games, and immersive media. Studios range from small independent outfits to larger production houses, and some offer additional service work across visual effects and interactive content. Freelance work is common in the sector alongside permanent studio roles, and the skills gained are transferable across film, broadcast, and commercial animation markets.
Sorted by achievement rate.
No training providers currently listed for this standard.
Completing this apprenticeship prepares someone to work as a Junior Animator within a studio production team. Day-to-day responsibilities typically include producing key frames, in-betweening, clean-up animation, and preparing scenes for review. Depending on the specialism chosen (2D, 3D, stop motion, or related options), graduates may be working in character animation, scene animation, or motion within advertising, children's television, or games content pipelines.
Within three to five years, a Junior Animator can move into an Animator role with greater ownership of sequences and more direct contact with directors. From there, two tracks tend to open up: a leadership route toward Animation Lead, Supervisor, or Director, where the focus shifts to guiding other animators and managing production quality; or a specialist route as a senior character animator or technical animator, building depth in a particular discipline such as facial performance, creature animation, or pipeline tooling.
UK animation studios of all sizes hire for this role, from small independent studios producing short-form or branded content through to medium and large studios serving broadcast television, feature film, and games clients. Children's media is the largest single employer sector. Advertising agencies with in-house production arms, games developers, and immersive media companies also recruit animators. The sector spans both private studios and publicly funded production companies, with work concentrated in London, Bristol, Manchester, and other regional hubs.
Throughout the programme, the apprentice learns on the job, building the animation knowledge and practical skills required for the role alongside real production work. The standard has a core element and four specialist options, so the pathway followed will reflect the employer's area of practice, whether that is 2D digital, stop motion, or another specialism. Before moving to final assessment, the apprentice and employer must confirm readiness, a checkpoint commonly referred to as the gateway, where evidence of competence across the required knowledge and skills is reviewed. Final assessment then confirms whether the apprentice can perform the role to the required standard. Assessment models for many standards are currently being updated, so check the standard's gov.uk page for the current specification.
Building a body of workplace evidence throughout the programme, rather than leaving it until the end, makes a significant difference to readiness. Apprentices should keep records of animations produced, feedback received and acted on, and examples of working within production workflows across different projects. Regular check-ins with the employer and training provider help to track progress against the knowledge and skills in the standard and identify any gaps early, giving time to address them before the gateway stage.
Look for providers with demonstrable links to working animation studios, not just college-based delivery teams. On FATP profiles, an achievement rate above 65% is a reasonable baseline; above 75% is strong for a specialist creative standard with a relatively small learner population. Check that the provider delivers the specific option pathway relevant to your studio's work, whether that is 2D, stop motion, or another specialism. Learner reviews mentioning real production workflows, honest feedback culture, and named software such as Toon Boom Harmony or Maya are a useful signal that delivery reflects actual industry practice.
Be cautious of providers who cannot name the animation software used in their teaching, or whose curriculum materials reference outdated versions of industry tools. A high volume of learners paired with a declining achievement rate is a warning sign in any creative standard, but it matters more here because cohort sizes are typically small and individual mentorship is part of how animation skills develop. Vague answers about who delivers the technical training, or no clear route to critique from working animators, should give you pause. Also check that the provider can show how they assess performance and character acting, not just technical output.
There are no nationally mandated entry requirements set by the standard, so employers can set their own criteria. In practice, most studios look for a genuine interest in animation, some evidence of drawing ability or creative work, and the capacity to learn industry software. Apprentices must be employed for the duration of the programme. If you have existing qualifications or experience in art, design, or media, these may strengthen an application but are not universally required.
The typical duration is 18 months, though the exact minimum and any off-the-job training requirements are subject to ongoing review under current Skills England reforms. Check the current specification on gov.uk for up-to-date figures. Throughout the programme, apprentices remain employed and apply their learning directly on live projects, working alongside animators, leads, and directors while building the skills needed to reach the gateway.
Assessment models for many standards are being updated, so check the current assessment plan on gov.uk for precise details. In general terms, an apprentice must reach a gateway point where their employer and training provider confirm they have demonstrated the required knowledge and skills before the end-point assessment begins. At that stage, the apprentice must show genuine competence in producing animation to production requirements, not just theoretical understanding.
The funding band for this standard is £14,000, which sets the maximum the government will contribute. Levy-paying employers (those with a payroll above £3 million) pay through their digital apprenticeship service account. Smaller employers co-invest, typically paying 5% of the training cost with the government covering the rest. Employers with fewer than 50 staff who take on an apprentice aged 16 to 18 pay nothing; the government covers the full cost.
On a typical day, a junior animator will create key frames and in-between frames for assigned characters or scenes, working from a storyboard and director's brief. They check that movement, timing, and continuity align with the production plan, export work for review, and respond to feedback from the animation lead or supervisor. Depending on the studio specialism chosen (such as 2D or stop motion), they may also use rotoscoping techniques or adjust lighting and camera rigs for specific shots.
Completing this standard positions a graduate to progress to a fully qualified animator role within a studio, taking on more complex shots and greater creative responsibility. From there, career paths can lead to animation lead, supervisor, or director positions over time. Some graduates move into related disciplines such as visual effects or games animation. Further study at degree or postgraduate level in animation or a related creative field is also an option for those who want to specialise further.
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Curated by Alex Lockey, FATP founder and editor. Last reviewed: .
Sources include the apprenticeship's official specification on apprenticeships.gov.uk, Skills England guidance, IfATE archive records, DWP funding bands, and provider data sourced directly from the public Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR). Standard reference: 558.
Some sections on this page were drafted with AI assistance from published source data and reviewed by a human editor before publication. See our editorial methodology for how we maintain this content. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.