Fully Funded Apprenticeships for Young People: What Employers Need to Know

Recruiting skilled employees continues to be one of the biggest challenges facing employers across England.

Whether you’re a small business looking to recruit your first apprentice or a larger organisation planning for future workforce growth, understanding the latest government funding for apprenticeships could help reduce recruitment costs while investing into the next generation.

The Government has recently announced further investment in apprenticeships for young people, making it easier for eligible employers to access fully funded apprenticeship training.

Alongside initiatives such as the Youth Jobs Grant and Apprenticeship Hiring Grant, these changes are designed to encourage more employers to recruit apprentices aged 16 to 24 and invest in the workforce of the future.

If you’re considering apprenticeships as part of your recruitment strategy, here’s everything you need to know.

What is Government Funding for Apprenticeships?

Government funding helps employers cover the cost of apprenticeship training, making apprenticeships one of the most cost-effective ways to recruit, develop and retain skilled employees.

For eligible non-levy employers, apprenticeship training and assessment costs for qualifying apprentices aged 16 to 24 may be fully funded. This means employers can focus on developing new talent without paying the cost of training.

For organisations that pay the apprenticeship levy, funding is accessed through the Apprenticeship Service account, allowing employers to use their levy contributions to train both new recruits and existing employees.

By reducing the financial barriers to training, government funding enables businesses to invest in long-term workforce development with confidence.

Who Can Benefit from Fully Funded Apprenticeships?

The latest funding is designed to support employers while helping more young people begin rewarding careers.

Funding is particularly beneficial for employers recruiting:

Apprentices aged 16 to 24
Young people entering their first career
Individuals progressing from education into employment

Whether you’re looking to grow your business or address skills shortages, apprenticeships provide an opportunity to develop motivated employees with the skills your organisation needs.

Why Invest in Apprenticeships?

While the financial support is significant, apprenticeships offer far more than reduced recruitment costs.

By investing in apprenticeships, employers can:

Build a sustainable talent pathway
Develop both new recruits and existing employees
Address current and future skills shortages
Increase staff retention through career development
Equip their workforce with the skills needed for long-term success

For apprentices, it’s an opportunity to earn while they learn, gain nationally recognised qualifications and build valuable workplace experience from day one.

Alongside fully funded apprenticeship training, employers may also be eligible for additional government incentives designed to support youth employment.

Youth Jobs Grant

Eligible employers may receive up to £3,000 when employing an eligible 18 to 24-year-old who has been claiming Universal Credit for at least six months.

Apprenticeship Hiring Grant

Eligible SMEs may also receive a £2,000 incentive for recruiting a new apprentice aged 16 to 24.

When combined with apprenticeship funding, these grants can significantly reduce recruitment costs while creating more opportunities for young people to enter employment.

How GLP Training Is Supporting Employers

As skills continues to evolve, GLP Training is expanding its apprenticeship offerings to help employers make the most of these new opportunities.

This August, we’ll be launching the new Administration Assistant Level 2 Apprenticeship, replacing the previous Business Administrator Level 2 standard.

Developed specifically for learners aged 16-25, the programme provides employers with a dedicated route to recruit and develop future administrative professionals.

Our first national Connected Cohort will also begin in October 2026, giving employers across England access to consistent, high-quality apprenticeship delivery while enabling learners to collaborate with apprentices from a range of organisations.

Alongside this, we’re continuing to grow our apprenticeship provision across technical and trade sectors, ensuring employers have access to training that reflects the changing needs of the industry.

Now Is the Right Time to Recruit an Apprentice

With increased government investment, fully funded apprenticeship opportunities and additional employer grants now available, there has never been a better time to invest in apprenticeships.

Whether you’re recruiting your first apprentice, expanding your team or developing existing employees, apprenticeships remain one of the most effective ways to build skills, strengthen your workforce and prepare your organisation for future success.

If you’d like to find out how your business could benefit from government funding for apprenticeships, our team is here to help.

Get in touch with GLP Training to discuss the funding available and explore the apprenticeship programmes that are right for your organisation.

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