Grants and incentives
The most generous package of youth hiring incentives in over a decade is live right now. Here's every scheme a Sussex Tech Talent Champion can access, and what they stack up to. We navigate all of this for you.
Ask us about funding for your hire| Scheme | What you get | Who qualifies | From | Your next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youth Jobs Grant | £3,000 cash, paid direct to you | Any employer; hire aged 18 to 24, on Universal Credit 6+ months | Live now | Apply direct via the gov.uk employer form, or ask us and we'll do it with you |
| Jobs Guarantee | Full wage subsidy, 25 hrs/wk for 6 months, NI and pension covered | Hire aged 18 to 24, on Universal Credit 18+ months | National rollout autumn 2026 | Register interest via Jobcentre Plus; we'll guide the timing |
| SME Apprenticeship Hiring Incentive | £2,000 per apprentice | Non-levy SMEs; apprentice aged 16 to 24 | October 2026 | Claimed through your training provider; we coordinate it |
| Apprenticeship training | 100% funded training | Non-levy SMEs; apprentice aged 16 to 24 | August 2026 | Arranged with the training provider; we set it up with you |
| Young Apprentice Payment | £1,000 per apprentice | Apprentice aged 16 to 18 (or 19 to 24 with EHCP or care leaver) | Live now | Through your training provider |
| Employer NIC exemption | Zero employer NI | Under-21s, and apprentices under 25, earning below £50,270 | Ongoing | Automatic through payroll; we'll flag your eligibility |
| Care Leaver Bursary | £3,000 bursary | Care leaver under 25 starting an apprenticeship | Live now | We handle this with the provider |
| SWAP | Fully funded pre-employment training + guaranteed interview | Any employer, via Jobcentre Plus partnership | Live now | Through our Jobcentre Plus partnership; talk to us |
Worked example: converting a placement into an apprenticeship
Your placement investment (8 weeks, 25 hrs/wk)~ £3,100
SME Apprenticeship Hiring Incentive+ £2,000
Apprenticeship training costs£0 (100% funded)
Employer NI in year one (apprentice under 25)£0 (~£3,000 saved)
Net position, year oneBetter than cost-neutral
Don't work it out alone
Every candidate profile in our talent pool carries their incentive eligibility. Tell us about the role and we'll tell you the real numbers before you commit to anything.
Talk it through with us