Government Launches £820 million Job Support Package for 18-24 Year Olds
A major government funding package worth £820 million is set to create 350,000 new training and workplace opportunities for young jobseekers, with significant implications for the health and social care sector.
Young people claiming Universal Credit will gain access to roles across construction, health and social care, and hospitality, receiving on-the-job skills development, employer networking opportunities, and professional coaching in CV writing and interview techniques.
The initiative will support 900,000 young Universal Credit claimants who are actively seeking employment. Following an initial dedicated work support session, participants will receive four weeks of intensive guidance before being referred by their work coach to one of six tailored pathways: direct employment, work experience, apprenticeships, broader training programmes, further learning, or workplace training schemes offering guaranteed interviews developed in partnership with employers.
For the care sector, which continues to face persistent recruitment challenges, this investment represents a vital opportunity to attract young people into rewarding careers in health and social care whilst addressing workforce shortages across residential and nursing home settings.
As part of this training, young people will receive six weeks of training, work experience, and a guaranteed job interview, giving young people their first foot in the door towards meaningful employment, boosting their prospects and supporting a stronger economy as part of our Plan for Change.
55,000 young people also stand to gain from a government-backed guaranteed job, which will begin roll-out from Spring 2026 in areas with some of the highest need in Great Britain.
These regions are:
- Birmingham & Solihull
- East Midlands
- Greater Manchester
- Hertfordshire & Essex
- Central & East Scotland
- Southwest & Southeast Wales
More than 1,000 young people are expected to start a job in the first six months alone, with local partners and employers to play a key role in supporting young people as they transition into meaningful employment with fully funded wages and wraparound support for young people.
Alongside this, Youth Hubs – centres where young people can receive vital help to get them back on track – will be expanded to every local area of Great Britain, bringing the total to over 360. This will ensure young people up and down the country can access the lifechanging support Youth Hubs offer, such as CV advice, skills training, mental health support, housing advice, and careers guidance.
There is an expectation that young people will take up the opportunities they are offered, and sanctions to benefits could be applied for those who don’t engage with the offered support without good reason.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden, said:
“Every young person deserves a fair chance to succeed. When given the right support and opportunities, they will grasp them.
That’s why we are introducing a range of reforms to help young people take that vital step into the workplace or training and to go on and make something of their lives.
“This funding is a downpayment on young people’s futures and the future of the country, creating real pathways into good jobs and providing work experience, skills training and guaranteed employment.
Richard Rigby, Head of UK Government Affairs at The King’s Trust said:
“At The King’s Trust, we know that when you match young people’s potential with opportunity, they can transform their own lives. This Youth Guarantee is a crucial step towards unlocking that potential.
“Increasing training and work experience opportunities, alongside a guaranteed job scheme for the long-term unemployed, will help the young people we support in our centres each day to start overcoming the barriers they face, and take their first steps into work.
If we get this right, we can transform the futures of young people out of work across the UK, and build a healthier, wealthier society.”
