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Youth Guarantee: Opportunities for Employers

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18 Sep, 2026by Julie GibsonInformation, advice and guidance

Over the next three years, £2.5 billion will be invested into the Government’s Youth Guarantee programme, supporting almost one million young people and creating up to 500,000 jobs, training and learning opportunities.

Opportunities for employers

The Youth Guarantee provides employers with access to fully funded training, financial incentives and opportunities to recruit young people. Employers can support the programme by:

  • Recruiting more young people into jobs or apprenticeships.
  • Creating work experience and training opportunities.
  • Working with Skills England to develop sector-specific skills packages.
  • Partnering with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to provide services through Youth Hubs.
 

The Government is creating up to 150,000 additional work experience placements and up to 145,000 bespoke training opportunities for young people on Universal Credit who are looking for work.

Financial support for employers includes a £2,000 apprenticeship incentive for eligible non-levy-paying employers in England recruiting a 16–24-year-old, from October 2026. A £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant is also available to employers recruiting eligible 18–24-year-olds across Great Britain who have been on Universal Credit for six months.

The Jobs Guarantee will also provide eligible 18–24-year-olds who have been on Universal Credit and looking for work for 18 months with a six-month paid job, with the Government covering 100% of employment costs. Nearly 90,000 places are planned from autumn 2026.

The Youth Guarantee could provide opportunities for Norfolk’s voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations to engage with young people, offer work experience and training, and potentially recruit young people into jobs or apprenticeships. The programme also provides a range of support and incentives for employers.

Employers interested in taking part can find out more and register through the Government’s Youth Guarantee employer information.

Read the Youth Guarantee Employer Briefing PDF here.