£3,000 Youth Jobs Grant: what SMEs need to know

Applications are now open for the Government’s new £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant, giving employers financial support when they recruit eligible young people into work. 
 

The grant is available to businesses hiring 18 to 24-year-olds who have been claiming Universal Credit and actively looking for work for at least six months. It forms part of the wider Youth Guarantee programme, which aims to help more young people move into employment, training and apprenticeships. 

What does this mean for SMEs? 

Recruiting new staff can be costly, especially for small and medium-sized businesses. The £3,000 grant could help reduce the cost of hiring, with additional incentives available that can be combined, while giving a young person a valuable opportunity to start their career. 

For SMEs, this could be a practical way to fill entry-level roles, grow teams and build skills for the future. 

This includes those organisations that are considering taking on an apprentice where the grant may also make recruitment more affordable. This is in addition to existing apprenticeship funding support that is already available. 

How apprenticeships can help your business 

Apprenticeships are a simple and effective way to bring new talent into an organisation. They allow businesses to train people in the skills they need, while supporting them to gain nationally recognised qualifications. 

Benefits of hiring an apprentice include: 

• Develop skills that match business needs 

• Build a loyal pipeline of future talent 

• Support hard-to-fill or entry-level roles 

• Improve retention by investing in people early 

• Show positive social value in local communities.  

For many SMEs, apprenticeships are also a cost-effective way to grow, because training costs are often partly or fully supported by Government funding. 

Why it matters 

The Youth Jobs Grant is not just about reducing recruitment costs. It also helps young people who may have faced barriers to work gain experience, confidence and a route into a long-term career. 

For SMEs, this can support business growth while also making a positive difference in the communities where they operate. 

How Total People can support you 

Total People works with employers to make apprenticeship recruitment straightforward. We can help you understand your options, identify suitable apprenticeship roles and guide you through the next steps. 

Our team can support you with: 

• Understanding available funding and incentives 

• Identifying apprenticeship opportunities in your business 

• Finding suitable candidates 

• Checking eligibility requirements 

• Planning future workforce skills. 

Whether you are hiring your first apprentice or planning to grow your team, we can help you make the most of the support available. 

Start the conversation 

With applications now open, this is a good time for SMEs to explore whether the £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant could support their recruitment plans. 

If you are thinking about apprenticeships or want to understand what funding your business may be eligible for, Total People is here to help. 

Speak to our employer engagement team today to find out how apprenticeships and Government incentives could support your business.