Alongside the financial support available, there are many wider benefits to employing a trainee or apprentice. Young people are sometimes unfairly perceived as lacking reliability or motivation, but this is often far from the reality. Many are eager to learn, develop new skills, and build successful careers. Recent reports of graduates applying for hundreds of jobs without securing a role highlight the challenges many young people face in entering the workforce. For employers, this represents an opportunity to tap into a pool of motivated individuals who are looking for their first chance to gain experience, contribute to a business, and grow professionally.
Lesley Blain, Operations Director of Management Training Plus, who offer apprenticeships from their Westbury base says;
“Hiring young people extends far beyond filling immediate vacancies; it is a strategic investment in fresh perspectives, enthusiasm, and long-term potential. For instance, a partner company recently engaged two young apprentices whose expertise in social media and digital communication successfully expanded the brand’s reach to an entirely new demographic, securing its future market relevance. Ultimately, the time dedicated to training and mentoring youth today yields substantial, long-term returns for business success.”
Employing a young person in their first role can bring a number of advantages for business owners. Unlike experienced hires, who may already be accustomed to particular ways of working, young recruits can be trained from the outset in your systems, processes, and company culture. This allows you to develop skills that are tailored specifically to the needs of your business.
There are also longer-term benefits. Research suggests that apprentices and trainees often remain with the employers who invested in their development, helping to build a loyal and committed workforce. For SMEs in particular, this can create a strong talent pipeline while reducing future recruitment and training costs.
The £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant is a one-off payment for employers from small and medium sized businesses who hire eligible young people aged between 16 and 24 into permanent or fixed term roles.
The young person must be:
The role you offer must be:
The scheme is due to launch this summer, you can pre-register to be the first to hear all the details via the Government website.
The new grant is not intended to replace apprenticeships, but to complement them. Employers can claim the £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant alongside the £2,000 apprenticeship incentive, providing up to £5,000 in support for each young person recruited.
This funding can be used in whatever way best supports your business, whether that’s helping to cover recruitment costs, investing in new equipment, supporting supervision and mentoring, or creating additional opportunities for growth. By combining these incentives, employers can reduce the cost of recruitment while investing in the future workforce they need.
Apprenticeships offer young people the chance to train and develop skills whilst also earning a wage. From August 2026 small businesses (non-levy employers) will be able to claim full training costs for young people aged 16-24 in a range of fields and at different levels with the new £2000 hiring incentive being introduced in October 2026. (This will be paid in two instalments to encourage businesses to retain apprentices in their roles.
You can find out more about funding for apprenticeships on the Government website.
With the significant new funding becoming available, there’s never been a better time for small businesses to consider employing young people. Whether through the Youth Jobs Grant, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both, these schemes can help reduce your recruitment costs while bringing fresh talent, new ideas and long-term potential into your business. Employers can build themselves the skilled and loyal workforce they need for the future while making a positive difference to the next generation’s career prospects.
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