Government Support for Jobs, Apprenticeships and Early Careers

Youth Unemployment Support and New Employer Incentives

The latest government employment drive aims to create more paid opportunities for young people while helping employers unlock new jobs, apprenticeships and long-term career pathways.

Youth Jobs Grant
£3,000

A grant for employers hiring eligible young people aged 18 to 24 who have been on Universal Credit and looking for work for six months.

Apprenticeship Incentive
£2,000

Support for SMEs taking on new apprentices aged 16 to 24, helping reduce the cost of recruitment, onboarding and training.

Jobs Guarantee
Expanded

The Jobs Guarantee is being widened to ages 18 to 24, creating more subsidised paid work opportunities for young people.

New Foundation Apprenticeships
From 2026

Foundation apprenticeships are being expanded to create more accessible entry routes into work and long-term career development.

A Major Push to Create More Jobs and Apprenticeships

Youth unemployment and economic inactivity among young people have become a major issue across the UK. In response, the government has announced a large-scale package of support to help create more opportunities for people aged 16 to 24.

The measures include new hiring incentives, wider access to subsidised work, support for apprenticeships and broader reforms designed to make the skills system work better for young people and employers.

For businesses operating in practical sectors such as removals, warehousing, transport and logistics, these changes could create meaningful new ways to recruit, train and retain the next generation of staff.

At a Glance

200,000+new jobs and apprenticeship opportunities
£1 billionadditional funding announced for youth employment support
£2.5 billiontotal investment over the next three years
500,000potential opportunities to earn and learn

What the New Support Includes

The latest package combines direct employer support with wider apprenticeship reform. The overall aim is to help more young people move into paid work while making it easier for employers to create genuine opportunities.

Youth Jobs Grant

Businesses can receive £3,000 for every eligible young person they hire aged 18 to 24 who has been on Universal Credit and looking for work for six months.

Jobs Guarantee Expansion

The scheme is being expanded to support a wider age range, helping create more subsidised paid jobs for young people who need practical routes into employment.

Apprenticeship Incentive for SMEs

Smaller employers can receive £2,000 for each new apprentice aged 16 to 24, helping to improve access to entry-level work and industry training.

Growth and Skills Levy Reforms

Wider apprenticeship reforms are being introduced to prioritise younger apprentices and support routes into sectors critical to economic growth.

Why This Matters for Employers

  • Reduce the cost and risk of hiring young people
  • Access grants and financial incentives linked to jobs and apprenticeships
  • Build a reliable future workforce pipeline in logistics, storage and transport
  • Support local young people into meaningful paid work
  • Create entry routes into operational, warehouse and driving careers
  • Strengthen long-term recruitment in a sector facing ongoing skills shortages

Routes Young People Can Progress Into

Removals operative roles
Warehouse and storage positions
Customer-facing logistics support roles
Urban driving and transport pathways
Large goods vehicle progression routes
Long-term supervisory and specialist logistics careers

In sectors like removals and logistics, a first role can lead to long-term career progression, practical qualifications and specialist development over time.

How National Removals and Storage Fits Into This Picture

At National Removals and Storage, we understand how important practical entry routes are for young people who want to build a future in a hands-on, customer-facing and operational sector.

The removals, storage and transport industry offers real career opportunities, but employers also need confidence, support and a clearer pipeline of people entering the workforce with the right attitude and long-term potential.

That is why developments such as the Youth Jobs Grant, apprenticeship incentives and wider skills reform matter. They can help employers create paid opportunities while giving young people a genuine route into work, training and progression.

Our wider focus on careers and apprenticeships reflects that commitment. We want to support practical routes into employment and help strengthen the future talent pipeline across removals, logistics and transport.

Why These Reforms Matter

For Employers

We can help businesses understand how apprenticeships and workforce development can support recruitment, retention and operational growth.

For Young People

We want to help young people access practical entry routes into removals, logistics and transport through real work and structured progression.

For the Sector

The removals and logistics industry needs a strong future talent pipeline. These reforms create an opportunity to invest in the next generation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Youth Jobs Grant?

1

The Youth Jobs Grant is a government-backed incentive designed to encourage employers to hire eligible young people aged 18 to 24. It provides financial support to businesses that create paid opportunities for young people who have been out of work and claiming Universal Credit.

What is the £2,000 apprenticeship incentive?

2

This incentive is aimed at SMEs taking on apprentices aged 16 to 24. It is designed to make it easier for smaller employers to create apprenticeship opportunities and invest in early careers.

How does this relate to National Removals and Storage?

3

As a business operating across removals, storage and transport, we recognise the importance of bringing new people into the sector. This page reflects our support for practical job pathways, apprenticeships and long-term workforce development.

Who could benefit from these changes?

4

Young people looking for paid work, apprenticeships and career progression can benefit, while employers may be able to reduce recruitment costs and strengthen their future workforce through funded opportunities.

Learn More About Opportunities

Looking to Build Skills, Careers and Future Workforce Capacity?

Explore our apprenticeships and careers pages to learn more about opportunities in removals, storage, logistics and transport.