Proven Employer Incentives to Hire Young Talent August 2026
Funding and apprenticeship support for employers
Recently, the UK government has introduced funding and apprenticeship support to encourage employers to recruit young people with the aim of reducing the number of 16-24 year olds not in employment, education or training (NEETs). This post gives an overview of the funding and grants available, including, for those working in the construction sector, CITB apprentice grants.
Youth Jobs Grant £3,000
Available for eligible 18-24 year olds who are receiving Universal Credit and been seeking work for 6 months or more and have been identified as eligible by Jobcentre Plus.
Payment made directly to the employer.
For further information go to: https://www.youthemployment.org.uk/youth-jobs-grant-what-employers-need-to-know/
Young Apprentice Payment £1,000
For eligible apprentices aged 16-18 or 19-24 with an education, health and care plan or care leaver status.
Payment processed by the training provider.
Foundation Apprenticeship Incentive upto £2000
For Foundation apprentices aged 16-21 or aged 22-24 with EHC plan, care experience or custodial background.
Supporting young people to progress towards a full apprenticeship programme.
Payment processed by the training provider.
Non-Levy Hiring Grant £2000
Available from October 2026 when an eligible non-levy employer recruits an additional apprentice. Apprentice may join upto 3 months before their apprenticeship training starts.
Employer National Insurance contributions
If you employ apprentices under 25 and they earn less than £50,270/year you do not have to pay employer NI contributions for them.
The government also provides funding to upskill apprentices in maths and English. This means you do not have to set entry requirements in English and maths and can upskill your existing apprentices.
Jobs Guarantee-only certain areas but expanding in Autumn 26
Offers eligible 18-24 year olds who have been on Universal Credit for 18 months a 6 month paid job of up to 25 hours/week. The government provides financial support to help cover employment costs along with wrap around support for the young person.
CITB Apprentice Grants
If you are CITB registered and upto date with your Levy Returns, you can claim the following:
Off the Job Attendance grant £2,500/year upto a meximum duration defined within each apprenticeship. Grant payable every 13 weeks
Training provider must be on Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers
Achievement of an apprenticeship
£3,500 on successful completion of a full apprenticeship of 12 months or more duration
£600 where the duration is shorter than 12 months and where the learner is an experienced worker who did not acquire significant new skills.
Interior Systems Installer apprenticeships
£1,000 with first quarterly attendance payment (13 weeks)
£1,000 paid with the final quarterly attendance payment
Apprenticeship travel and accommodation funding
CITB will fund 80% of accommodation costs for eligible apprentices who attend colleges or training providers where overnight stays and travel to and from a hotel to a place of training are required.
Employers can also claim excess costs for apprentice travel where the cost exceeds £20 per week.
Source: https://www.citb.co.uk/funding-support/grants/apprenticeship-grants
If this post has encouraged you to consider recruiting a young person and you would like to talk to us about how you go about it, feel free to contact Strive Development for a no obligation discussion.
