£3,000 grant for North Wales employers hiring young people

Employers across North Wales can now access funding of up to £3,000 to help them recruit young people and create new opportunities in the region.

The Youth Jobs Grant, launched this week by the UK Government, is available to businesses that employ eligible 18–24-year-olds who have been out of work for six months. The initiative aims to boost youth employment while supporting business growth across North Wales.

The grant forms part of the wider Youth Guarantee, which is designed to ensure all young people have access to employment, training, or education opportunities.

Businesses can use the funding to:

• Offset the cost of recruiting and employing young people
• Support entry-level roles and career pathways
• Invest in workforce development and skills

Benefits for employers

• Receive a £3,000 grant per eligible hire. This will be made in 2 payments, £1800 paid
  in month 2 of the young person’s employment and £1200 paid in month 5.
• Access a pipeline of young people actively seeking employment.
• Reduce your employment costs while building a loyal, motivated workforce.

Is your business eligible?

If you’re ready to hire someone aged 18 to 24 who has been on Universal Credit for six months or more and is looking for work, you could qualify for the Youth Jobs Grant. Jobs must be at least 25 hours per week and expected to last at least 4 months to be eligible for a Youth Jobs Grant.

Alongside the grant, young people in North Wales will benefit from enhanced support through local jobcentres, including tailored careers advice, skills development, and access to job opportunities, apprenticeships and training.

The scheme represents a key opportunity for North Wales employers to strengthen their workforce while helping young people gain valuable skills and experience.

David Roberts, Chair of the North Wales Regional Skills Partnership, said:

“Supporting young people into work is vital for the future of our region and our economy. This funding gives businesses a real incentive to invest in local talent and help the next generation take their first steps into employment.”

Next steps

Employers can apply for the funding through a straightforward online process. The form takes around 20 minutes to complete, and you will be asked to accept some terms and conditions in a new tab as part of the application, with payments made in stages once employment is confirmed.