Launch of the Youth Jobs Grant

There are now over a million young people not in education, employment or training. This Government is acting and determined to not leave an entire generation of young people behind. The Youth Guarantee is our commitment to ensure that every young person across Great Britain can access support to earn or learn. We are investing an additional £2.5 billion over the next three years in the Youth Guarantee and Growth and Skills Levy, supporting almost one million young people and creating up to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn.

Today, I am pleased to announce the launch of the Youth Jobs Grant, a key component of the Youth Guarantee. The grant opens for applications today, offering £3,000 to employers across Great Britain for each eligible young person they recruit. It is targeted at 18 to 24-year-olds who have been unemployed and in receipt of Universal Credit for six months or more, giving talented and motivated young people a chance at meaningful work.

Grants will be paid in two instalments - £1,800 in month two and £1,200 in month five - to encourage recruitment and sustained employment. Roles must be at least 25 hours per week and are expected to last a minimum of four months. The scheme is open to employers in all sectors and regions.

Employers will be able to apply through a simple application process from today found on Youth Jobs Grant - GOV-UK Find a grant – with further details on eligibility and requirements available on business.gov.uk/recruit.

By supporting employers with the upfront costs of recruitment and training, the Youth Jobs Grant will help more young people to secure a meaningful job, build confidence, and gain valuable workplace experience. The Youth Jobs Grant is a vital step in delivering our commitment to support young people into work while helping employers to access the talent they need to grow.