Jobs Guarantee expanded: Thousands more young people on Universal Credit to get paid work

Young people struggling to find work could soon get a guaranteed route into employment, as the government expands its Jobs Guarantee programme across Britain over the coming months.

Under the scheme's expansion, 18 to 24-year-olds claiming Universal Credit and looking for work for 18 months will be offered a fully funded six-month job.

The idea is to helping them gain valuable workplace experience while earning a wage.

The change is part of the government's wider Youth Guarantee, which is trying to tackle long-term youth unemployment and give young people access to more opportunities to earn, learn or train.

Nearly one million young people are not in education, employment or training, but long-term unemployment early in life can have lasting consequences for earnings and career prospects.

What is the Jobs Guarantee?

The Jobs Guarantee is a government-backed employment programme designed to help people who have struggled to find work and receiving support through Universal Credit.

Those on the programme will receive:

• A fully subsidised six-month paid job

• Up to 25 hours of work per week

• Pay at the relevant National Minimum Wage rate

• Tailored employability support

• Ongoing in-work training to help the move into long-term employment

The government will cover 100% of employment costs for employers, removing financial barriers to hiring young people who may have limited work experience.

Who can sign up for the Jobs Guarantee?

From autumn 2026, the programme will be available to all eligible 18 to 24-year-olds who:

• Are claiming Universal Credit

• Have been looking for work for 18 months

Eligible young people will be identified and referred through the DWP and local delivery partners running the scheme.

How many young people will the scheme accept?

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) expects the national rollout to support more than 90,000 young people into paid employment over the next three years.

It comes after a pilot phase launched in six areas during 2026.

And ministers say early demand has been strong.

Automatic enrolment into further education to be trialled

Alongside the Jobs Guarantee expansion, the government is also planning to pilot automatic enrolment into further education for young people.

The aim is that fewer young people fall through the cracks after leaving school or college and to help more individuals continue learning, develop skills and improve their future employment prospects.

It is part of the government's wider efforts to reduce the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET).

Which jobs will be available through the Jobs Guarantee scheme?

The exact jobs available will depend on where you live.

This is because the scheme will be delivered by local organisations, known as Delivery Partners, who will work with employers in their area to create suitable opportunities for young people.

Jobs will be matched with young people who are suitable for roles and provide support throughout the six-month placement.

Opportunities are expected to be available across sectors that commonly recruit entry-level workers, including:

• Retail

• Hospitality and tourism

• Customer service

• Administration and office support

• Warehousing and logistics

• Construction

• Health and social care

• Manufacturing

• Digital and technology support

• Public and voluntary sector organisations