Youth Jobs Grant
The Youth Jobs Grant is part of the Youth Guarantee and provides financial support to employers to encourage the recruitment of young people who may otherwise find it difficult to enter the labour market. It is intended to complement, not replace, existing recruitment activity. Eligible employers may receive up to £3,000 per job outcome, paid in stages and subject to meeting all scheme conditions.
- Opening date:
- Closing date: (Midnight)
Contents
Summary
The Youth Jobs Grant Scheme launched on 30 June 2026 across Great Britain (GB). The scheme is designed to support employers recruit and train young people, addressing the high levels of youth unemployment and inactivity we see in the current labour market. The scheme aims to support up to 60,000 job opportunities over three years, approximately 20,000 per year, and is expected to be open to employers of all sizes and sectors and eligible claimants. The Youth Jobs Grant will operate for three years until it closes to new participants in October 2028.
Employers across GB who recruit an eligible young person (18-24, on Universal Credit, unemployed for 6 months) will receive a £3,000 grant per qualifying job outcome.
This grant will be staged across 4 months, with £1,800 paid from 6 weeks and £1,200 after 18 weeks, after earnings are verified through HM Revenue and Customs Real Time Information (RTI).
Eligibility
The grant applies to jobs where an employer recruits to a job registered with the scheme, a young person aged 18 to 24 who has been in receipt of Universal Credit and out of work for at least 6 months. The job must meet the scheme requirements, and all relevant checks must be completed before any payment is made.
To take part in the Youth Jobs Grant, employers must meet the following eligibility criteria:
operating in Great Britain
registered with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
actively trading, with a minimum trading history of six months
meet due diligence checks
Employers are expected to provide accurate and complete information as part of their application. They must meet the eligibility and suitability criteria for the scheme, confirm when a young person starts employment, and comply with the scheme terms and conditions at all times.
Applications are assessed by a central team within the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) before participation in the scheme is confirmed.
Objectives
The aim of the Youth Jobs Grant is to provide participating young people with meaningful paid work opportunities, that will give them the skills and experience to improve their chances of sustaining or moving towards sustained employment.
The objectives of the Youth Jobs Grant are to provide:
eligible employers with financial support to recruit eligible young people into suitable jobs.
eligible young people with the opportunity to develop the skills and experience they need to move towards sustained employment.
Dates
The Youth Jobs Grant opens on 30 June 2026 and will operate for three years until it closes to new participants in October 2028.
The government reserves the right to end or change this grant scheme. If the grant ends or the grant amount changes, the government will:
aim to provide 4 weeks’ notice.
honour claims made before any public announcement, subject to the grant criteria.
Outcome
The Department aims to email you within 10 working days (not including weekends or public holidays) of application with the result of your application and employer due diligence checks.
We will respond to vacancies within 5 working days (not including weekends or public holidays). If a vacancy is unfilled within 8 weeks we will discuss with you next steps.
How to apply
Complete the online application form, selecting the ‘Start new application’ button at the top of the page. Create an account and apply, using the form provided to submit details needed to assess employer eligibility and suitability for the scheme.
If an application is successful, the employer will be invited to provide details of vacancies. This initial application only needs to happen once and additional vacancies can be submitted without the need to re-apply.
If an application is not successful, the employer will be notified of the outcome. The grant guidance sets out the circumstances in which a decision can be appealed.
By applying for this grant, you agree that you have reviewed and will comply with the eligibility criteria for this grant and the Youth Jobs Grant Terms and Conditions which can be found at Youth-Jobs-Grant.GOV.UK
Supporting information
Supporting documents
Further information (including the Youth Jobs Grant Terms and Conditions, Youth Jobs Grant: Grant Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions) can be found at Youth-Jobs-Grant-GOV.UK
Questions and Support
If you have any questions about your application, you can contact the Employer Services Line on 0800 169 0178 or via ESL Contact Form