Government Incentives for Hiring Apprentices

Find out what government funding and incentives are available to employers hiring apprentices in 2026, including hiring payments, the Youth Jobs Grant, fully funded training and more.

Whether you are considering hiring your first apprentice or you are looking to grow your team further, the financial support currently available to employers makes this one of the best moments in recent years to do it.

From fully funded training to hiring payments and National Insurance relief, there is a substantial package of government support available right now. Many of these incentives can also be accessed at the same time, meaning the combined benefit for eligible employers can be significant.

At Educationwise we also offer a completely free recruitment service, so finding the right person for your team does not have to add to your costs.

What Your Business Could Access

Government support can make it easier for businesses to bring new talent into their teams through apprenticeships. Depending on your business, the apprentice you recruit and the type of apprenticeship, you may be able to access a combination of funding, incentives and financial support.

Fully Funded Training

Government funding can cover apprenticeship training and assessment for eligible apprentices aged 16 to 24, up to the relevant funding band maximum.

£2,000 Hiring Payment

Eligible non-levy employers can receive £2,000 when recruiting an additional apprentice aged 16 to 24 from October 2026.

£1,000 Additional Payment

Employers may receive £1,000 when recruiting eligible apprentices aged 16 to 18, or eligible apprentices aged 19 to 24 who are care experienced or have an EHC plan.

£3,000 Youth Jobs Grant

Eligible employers can receive £3,000 when recruiting an eligible 18 to 24-year-old who has been claiming Universal Credit for six months or more.

£3,000 Care Leaver Bursary

Eligible care leavers under 25 can receive £3,000 to help with the personal costs of starting an apprenticeship. The bursary is paid directly to the apprentice.

National Insurance Relief

Employers can benefit from a 0% employer National Insurance rate on qualifying earnings for eligible apprentices under 25.

How Each Incentive Works

There are several different forms of support available, and the amount you can access depends on the apprentice, your organisation and the apprenticeship being delivered. Below, we explain what each incentive means, who can benefit and how it could support your recruitment plans.

Fully Funded Training

What does it cover?
Who can access it?
When does it apply?
What does this mean for employers?

Learn More

£2,000 Hiring Payment

Who can claim it?
How does the payment work?
When is it available?
Can it be combined with other support?

Learn More

£1,000 Additional Payment

Who qualifies?
When is the payment made?
What does the funding support?
Can it be stacked?

Learn More

£3,000 Youth Jobs Grant

Who is eligible?
How much could you receive?
How does it work with funding?
Can it be combined with other support?

Learn More

£3,000 Care Leaver Bursary

Who receives the bursary?
How is it paid?
What can it be used for?
What does this mean for employers?

Learn More

National Insurance Relief

What does this mean for your business?
What are the benefits for employers?
How does this benefit employers?
What does this mean for hiring?

Learn More

Can these incentives be combined?

Yes. Many of these incentives can be accessed at the same time for the right hire, meaning the combined financial benefit to your business can be substantial. For example, an employer hiring an eligible young person aged 18 to 24 who has been on Universal Credit could access the hiring payment, the Youth Jobs Grant and National Insurance relief simultaneously.

Every situation is different and eligibility will depend on the individual circumstances of the hire. We are happy to help you work out exactly what your business is entitled to.

What We Can Talk Through Together

Every conversation is different, but here are some of the things people most commonly want to explore when they get in touch.

Do I have to be a non-levy paying employer to access these incentives?

Some incentives are specifically available to non-levy paying employers, which are typically smaller businesses. If you are unsure whether this applies to your organisation, get in touch and we will help you work it out.

How do I access these incentives?

When you work with Educationwise, we guide you through the full funding process from start to finish, making sure your business accesses every incentive it is entitled to. You do not need to navigate the system alone or worry about missing out on support that is available to you. We handle the detail so you can focus on welcoming your new apprentice into the team.

Can I access more than one incentive for the same apprentice?

Yes, in many cases multiple incentives can be accessed for the same hire. The combination you are eligible for will depend on the individual circumstances of the apprentice you are hiring. When you work with Educationwise, we will help you identify exactly what applies to your business and make sure nothing is missed.

Is there an age limit on apprenticeships?

There is no upper age limit on apprenticeships. While the incentives listed on this page are specifically available for apprentices aged under 25, apprenticeships are open to learners of any age. Get in touch to find out what support is available for hiring an apprentice of any age.

What apprenticeships does Educationwise offer?

We offer apprenticeships across a range of sectors including sport and physical activity, education and childcare, business administration, management and leadership and more. Visit our apprenticeships page for the full list of programmes we currently deliver.

Our Free Recruitment Service

Finding the right apprentice for your business is just as important as accessing the funding available and we are here to help with both.

Our free recruitment service takes care of the entire search process on your behalf. We advertise your vacancy, shortlist the strongest candidates and manage the process from start to finish, so all you need to do is meet the people worth interviewing.

Whether you already have someone in mind or you are starting from scratch, we can support you every step of the way.

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