If you’re considering hiring an apprentice in 2026, there is more financial support available to employers than you might realise. From the existing £1,000 additional payment for eligible younger apprentices to new support for businesses recruiting 16 to 24-year-olds, the Government is increasing its investment in apprenticeships and youth employment.
This guide explains the main apprenticeship incentives available in 2026, who may be eligible and what employers need to know before recruiting. It also covers the practical support available through Steve Willis Training for businesses looking to develop the next generation of skilled Gas, Electrical and Plumbing professionals.
Why 2026 could be a good time to hire an apprentice
Finding experienced, skilled employees isn’t always easy, particularly in industries where practical knowledge takes years to develop.
An apprenticeship gives employers another option. Rather than waiting for someone with exactly the right experience to become available, you can invest in a new member of your team and help them develop the skills, knowledge and working practices your business needs.
For employers in Gas, Electrical and Plumbing, this can be particularly valuable. Apprentices combine hands-on experience with an employer and structured training with their provider, building their skills over several years.
Government funding and employer incentives can make this investment more accessible too.
If you’re new to apprenticeships, our Employer Hub explains more about employing an apprentice, funding and the support available to businesses.
What apprenticeship incentives are available to employers in 2026?
Several forms of financial support may be available depending on the apprentice’s age, circumstances, start date and the size of your business.
The key schemes employers should be aware of are:
- The existing £1,000 payment for eligible younger apprentices
- A new apprenticeship hiring payment of up to £2,000 for eligible non-levy employers from October 2026
- The £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant for eligible 18 to 24-year-olds
- Government-funded apprenticeship training for eligible younger apprentices
Funding rules and eligibility can change, so employers should always check the latest Government guidance or speak to their training provider before making decisions based on an incentive.
£1,000 additional payment for eligible younger apprentices
Employers can receive an additional £1,000 when taking on certain younger apprentices.
The payment applies where the apprentice is:
- Aged 16 to 18
- Aged 19 to 24 and has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
- Aged 19 to 24 and has been in the care of their local authority
The employer payment is made through the apprenticeship training provider and is separate from the funding used to pay for the apprentice’s training.
For eligible apprentices, the £1,000 is split into two £500 payments, provided the apprentice is still in learning at the relevant points.
This support has been available for some time, but it remains important for employers considering recruiting younger apprentices in 2026.
New for October 2026: up to £2,000 for eligible non-levy employers
From 1 October 2026, eligible employers that do not pay the apprenticeship levy will be able to receive a new hiring payment of up to £2,000 when recruiting apprentices aged 16 to 24.
To qualify under the current funding rules:
- The apprentice must be aged 16 to 24 when their apprenticeship training starts
- Their apprenticeship must start from 1 October 2026 onwards
- They must not have been employed by the business for more than 90 days before the practical period of their apprenticeship begins
- The relevant PAYE details must be included in the employer’s Apprenticeship Service account
The payment will be made in two instalments. The first becomes payable once the apprentice has completed their first 90 days of the apprenticeship.
This new apprenticeship hiring incentive is particularly relevant to smaller businesses that may previously have been concerned about the initial cost of recruiting and supporting a new apprentice.
It also forms part of wider Government plans to create 50,000 additional apprenticeship opportunities for young people.
What is changing with apprenticeship training costs in 2026?
There is another important funding change for employers to be aware of.
For new apprenticeship starts from 1 August 2026, the Government will fund the full training and assessment costs, up to the relevant funding band maximum, for eligible apprentices aged 16 to 24 where the employer does not pay the apprenticeship levy.
This reduces another potential barrier for smaller employers looking to recruit younger apprentices.
It means the financial case for developing someone through an apprenticeship may be stronger than many businesses realise, particularly when combined with available hiring payments.
Our apprenticeship programmes cover Gas, Electrical and Plumbing pathways, with practical and classroom training delivered from our centres in Burgess Hill, West Sussex and Portchester, Hampshire.
What is the £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant?
Employers should also be aware of the Youth Jobs Grant, which launched on 30 June 2026.
This is not specifically an apprenticeship incentive, but it may be relevant where an employer recruits an eligible young person into an apprenticeship role that also meets the grant conditions.
Employers across Great Britain may be able to receive £3,000 when employing an eligible person who:
- Is aged 18 to 24
- Has been receiving Universal Credit and looking for work for at least six months
- Meets the wider Youth Jobs Grant eligibility requirements
Eligible jobs must normally provide at least 25 hours of work per week and be expected to last for at least four months.
The grant is paid directly to the employer in two stages:
- £1,800 in month two
- £1,200 in month five
This funding comes through the Department for Work and Pensions rather than the apprenticeship training provider.
If you’re considering recruiting someone through this route, check the current Youth Jobs Grant conditions before assuming a vacancy will qualify.
Why hiring an apprentice is about more than the funding
The incentives can help, but funding should not be the only reason to hire an apprentice.
The bigger opportunity is building someone into your business from the start.
Develop the skills your business actually needs
An apprentice learns in your working environment. They become familiar with your standards, processes, customers and expectations while developing their technical ability.
That can make apprenticeships a practical way to address future skills requirements rather than relying entirely on recruiting experienced tradespeople later.
Build your future workforce
Skilled trades depend on experienced people passing their knowledge on.
Taking on an apprentice allows your business to play a direct role in developing the next generation while creating a potential long-term employee who already understands how you operate.
Recruit for attitude as well as experience
Young apprentices will not arrive with years of experience. That is the point of the apprenticeship.
Employers can instead look for qualities such as:
- Reliability
- Willingness to learn
- Good communication
- Commitment
- A positive attitude
- An interest in the trade
The technical knowledge develops through training and workplace experience.
Give someone a genuine career pathway
A good apprenticeship is not simply an extra pair of hands.
It gives someone the opportunity to develop recognised skills, gain real industry experience and establish a career in their chosen trade.
Employers can see examples of how apprenticeships have worked for other learners and businesses in our apprenticeship case studies.
How does hiring an apprentice work?
If you’ve never employed an apprentice before, the process can initially seem complicated. Breaking it down makes it much easier.
1. Identify the role your business needs
Start with the job rather than the funding.
Consider:
- What skills does the business need?
- What work will the apprentice carry out?
- Who will supervise and support them?
- Is there a genuine opportunity for them to develop?
2. Choose the appropriate apprenticeship
The apprenticeship needs to match the occupation the learner will actually be doing.
Steve Willis Training currently delivers apprenticeship programmes including:
Our apprenticeship training is delivered at our specialist centres in Burgess Hill, West Sussex and Portchester, Hampshire.
3. Recruit the right person
An apprentice needs an employer who can give them meaningful workplace experience alongside their formal training.
The strongest candidate will not necessarily be the person who already knows the most about the trade. Look for someone who is committed, dependable and prepared to learn.
4. Work with the training provider
A successful apprenticeship involves the employer, apprentice and training provider working together.
At Steve Willis Training, our apprentices train with experienced industry professionals in purpose-built workshops and classrooms. We also keep class sizes manageable so learners receive meaningful support during their training.
How Steve Willis Training supports apprenticeship employers
Choosing the right training provider is about more than finding somewhere for an apprentice to attend one day a week.
Employers need confidence that their apprentice is learning properly, developing practical skills and receiving support when they need it.
Steve Willis Training has been delivering trade training for more than 20 years. Our trainers and assessors have worked in the industries they teach, giving learners practical guidance based on genuine trade experience.
We support employers and apprentices through:
- Practical training in specialist workshops and assessment areas
- Experienced trainers and assessors who have worked on the tools
- Smaller class sizes to support effective teaching
- Ongoing communication throughout the apprenticeship
- Additional learner support where needed
- Support for prospective apprentices looking for suitable employers
Our apprenticeship training is available from both Burgess Hill in West Sussex and Portchester in Hampshire, supporting employers and learners across Sussex, Hampshire and surrounding areas.
