New Youth Jobs Grant to Support Employers and Help Young People into Work
A new government-backed initiative, the Youth Jobs Grant, is set to launch in June 2026, offering financial support to employers while helping thousands of young people move into sustained employment.
From June, businesses will be able to access £3,000 for each eligible young person they recruit under the scheme, which is designed to reduce recruitment costs for employers and provide opportunities for young people who have been seeking work.
The Youth Jobs Grant is aimed at supporting young people aged 18 to 24 who have been on Universal Credit and actively seeking employment for six months or more. The scheme is expected to support up to 60,000 young people over three years, connecting employers with a pipeline of work-ready candidates.
Supporting Employers and Building the Workforce
The scheme provides clear benefits for businesses, including financial support for recruitment, access to motivated young people, and the opportunity to build a loyal and sustainable workforce.
Employers may be eligible to take part if they are ready to recruit an individual aged 18–24 who has been receiving Universal Credit for at least six months and is actively seeking work.
Pre-registration Now Open
Although the scheme officially opens in June 2026 (with the exact date to be confirmed), employers can pre-register their interest now by completing an online enquiry form and selecting ‘Youth Jobs Grant’. Pre-registration is optional but will ensure employers receive updates and application details ahead of launch.
When the scheme opens, employers who have registered interest will be contacted directly by the Youth Jobs Grant team with full application guidance.
Further information on the Youth Jobs Grant and wider employer support is available via Business.gov.uk, including resources to help businesses recruit with Jobcentre Plus.
Encouraging Employer Engagement
Organisations supporting local businesses are being encouraged to share information about the Youth Jobs Grant within their employer networks and to signpost businesses to the relevant government support pages to help maximise take-up of the scheme.
The initiative forms part of wider efforts to support young people into work while helping employers address recruitment challenges and reduce costs.
For further information and updates, employers are encouraged to visit:
https://www.business.gov.uk/campaign/recruit-with-jobcentreplus
