Businesses taking on young people who have been out of work for six months or more can claim support towards the cost of recruitment, with applications taking around 20 minutes

Businesses planning to recruit could receive £3,000 for every eligible young person they take on, thanks to the Youth Jobs Grant, which has been available to employers across Great Britain since 30 June 2026.

The grant is aimed at employers who hire someone aged 18 to 24 who has been on Universal Credit and looking for work for six months or more. For businesses already planning to grow their team, it offers a practical way to reduce employment costs while opening up a pipeline of young people who are actively seeking work and ready to get started.

The £3,000 is paid in two instalments: £1,800 in the second month of the young person’s employment, and £1,200 in month five. That timing means employers receive support early on, when the costs of onboarding and training a new starter are often at their highest.

To qualify, the role must be at least 25 hours per week and expected to last at least four months. Beyond the funding itself, taking on a motivated young person can help businesses build a loyal workforce and develop future talent from the ground up, which is particularly valuable for SMEs facing recruitment pressures.

Applying is straightforward. The online form takes around 20 minutes to complete and includes accepting the scheme’s terms and conditions. Employers who want to understand the detail first can download the Youth Jobs Grant Toolkit.

To find out more go to https://www.business.gov.uk/campaign/recruit-with-jobcentreplus/build-your-future-workforce/