Major Employment Drive to Help Unlock 200,000 New Jobs and Apprentices for Next Generation
Posted on Mar 17, 2026 Tags:The UK Government has announced a major youth employment drive backed by £1 billion to help create 200,000 jobs for young people, alongside a transformation of apprentices.
Pat McFadden, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Secretary, has announced a ‘new deal’ for young people which includes:
- a new Youth Jobs Grant where businesses can receive £3,000 for every young person they hire aged 18-24 who has been on UC and looking for work for six months;
- expansion of the Jobs Guarantee to a wider age range, 18-24 years;
- an apprenticeship incentive of £2,000 for each new employee aged 16-24 taken on by an SME;
- further reforms to the Growth and Skills Levy to prioritise young apprentices.
How to be part of the Youth Guarantee
- Recruit more young people into jobs or apprenticeships
- Work with DWP to create more work experience placements and training places for young people
- Partner with Skills England to develop tailored sector skills packages
- Partner with DWP to set up and/or provide services within a Youth Hub
- Access DWP’s ’employer commitment’ – a tailored recruitment service with Jobcentre candidates
