Norfolk businesses looking to recruit and develop young talent could benefit from a range of new financial incentives being introduced through the Government’s Youth Guarantee.
The Youth Guarantee is the Government’s commitment to ensure every young person aged 16 to 24 has the support and opportunities they need to move into work or education. Over the next three years, the Government will invest an additional £2.5 billion through the Youth Guarantee and Growth and Skills Levy, supporting almost one million young people and unlocking up to 500,000 jobs, training and learning opportunities.
For employers, the package includes several incentives designed to make recruiting young people more accessible and cost-effective.
From June 2026, employers will be able to access a £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant when recruiting eligible young people. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will also benefit from a £2,000 apprenticeship incentive from October 2026, alongside fully funded apprenticeship training for SMEs from August 2026.
Additional support outlined within the Youth Guarantee includes:
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Subsidised six-month jobs, creating more than 90,000 opportunities over the next three years.
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National Insurance contribution exemptions for young employees.
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Bespoke training support to help employers develop sector-specific work academy programmes and work experience opportunities.
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Access to local Youth Hubs to help match vacancies with job-ready candidates.
These measures aim to help employers address skills shortages while providing valuable opportunities for young people to gain experience, develop skills and build successful careers.
Businesses interested in learning more about the Youth Guarantee, eligibility criteria and the available support can find further information, including terms and conditions, on the Government’s Recruit with Jobcentre Plus campaign website.
For Norfolk businesses considering expanding their workforce, the Youth Guarantee could provide both financial support and access to a new generation of local talent.
Download the full Youth Jobs Grant Employer Guide here