A major new government initiative – the Youth Jobs Grant – has officially launched, offering employers up to £3,000 to recruit and train young people who are struggling to enter the labour market. The scheme, part of the wider Youth Guarantee, is now live and accepting applications through the GOV.UK Find a Grant service.
Designed to tackle persistently high levels of youth unemployment and inactivity, the Youth Jobs Grant aims to create up to 60,000 job opportunities over three years, supporting approximately 20,000 placements per year. The grant is available to employers of all sizes and sectors across Great Britain.
Under the scheme, employers who hire an eligible young person—aged 18 – 24, on Universal Credit, and unemployed for six months – will receive staged grant payments totalling £3,000 per job outcome. Payments are made at 6 weeks (£1,800) and 18 weeks (£1,200) once earnings are verified through HMRC Real Time Information.
The Youth Jobs Grant opened on 30 June 2026 and will remain available until 31 October 2028, giving employers a substantial window to participate and help transform young people’s futures.
Key Features of the Youth Jobs Grant:
- Up to £3,000 per qualifying job outcome
- Supports recruitment of young people facing barriers to work
- Open to employers across all sectors and sizes
- Designed to complement existing recruitment activity
- Operates across Great Britain until October 2028
- Part of the national Youth Guarantee commitment
Employers can learn more, sign up for updates, and begin an application via the official GOV.UK Find a Grant page.