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Introduction
According to the latest Q2 2026 survey from ManpowerGroup, hiring confidence has increased to 27% for businesses across the UK, representing a 15% increase on the previous quarter. This strong increase represents one of the highest quarterly uplifts in 5 years and signifies that business hiring plans have increased across the market. Overall, 47% of employers surveyed have stated they have growth plans which will in turn increase their staff headcount and 26% are moving into entirely new areas that require additional roles.
The sectors which have the strongest hiring intentions are as follows
i) Information – 38%
ii) Finance and Insurance – 38%
iii) Manufacturing – 34%
iv) Professional, Scientific and Technical Services – 34%
v) Construction and Real Estate – 29%
vi) Trade and Logistics – 27%
vii) Utilities and Resources – 25%
In terms of regional growth, the areas with the strongest hiring intentions are
i) South West – 36%
ii) Yorkshire and Humberside – 34%
iii) West Midlands – 32%
iv) North West – 30%
v) Northern Ireland – 30%
vi) North East – 28%
vii) East Midlands – 28%
Businesses looking to take on new staff or train up their existing workforce can apply for financial support in the form of grants. Funding is available in local areas from local authorities, enterprise support agencies, universities and sector skills based training organisations. Businesses can receive funding to help train and develop new skills for their existing employees, create new job roles, take on apprentices or have graduate or intern placements. In some cases match funding from the employer is required to part pay new salaries or for training courses and activities.
What Are Some Of The Latest UK Recruit and Develop Staff Funding Opportunities Available?
i) Walsall Business Support
Walsall Business Support is providing funding for businesses seeking assistance with growth projects tackling skills shortages and increasing job opportunities. SMEs in the local area can apply for grants and a free training needs analysis. Funding up to £25,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
ii) Green Business Fund
Milton Keynes City Council is running a scheme that will support projects that help businesses across the city to reduce emissions, improve resource efficiency, or build sustainability‑related skills and capabilities. Eligible activities can include, but are not limited to, sustainability‑related training, workshops, certifications and specialist courses. Funding up to £25,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 30th April 2026
iii) Made Smarter South East
Business Surrey is running a scheme that provides advice and support to manufacturers and makers to help them switch to advanced and automated technologies. The support available includes, but is not limited to, a bespoke digital roadmap, match funding, a fully-funded student internship and workforce training. Funding up to £20,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
iv) Moray Employment Ready Initiative
Moray Council is inviting employers from private, public and third sector organisations to apply for funding to create work placements for people with the greatest barriers to employment in the local area. Funding up to £8,190 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
v) Standard Innovation Vouchers – Workforce Innovation Voucher
Interface Knowledge Connection and the Scottish Funding Council Is running a scheme that aims to encourage new first time partnerships between a company and a university or further education college in Scotland. These vouchers can be used to develop the company’s internal workforce, including new or enhanced workplace processes, innovative workplace practices, or innovative business expertise. Funding up to £7,500 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vi) Fylde Apprenticeship Incentive
Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub is offering financial incentives to employers that are providing opportunities within their organisation for Fylde residents. To find out more, applicants should register for the Take On An Apprentice pledge. Funding up to £5,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vii) Rural Skills Training and Mentorship Programme
Perth and Kinross Council is running a programme that aims to support employers in rural Perthshire who provide opportunities within the rural skills sector. The programme provides funding to cover training and mentoring costs for employees who have entered employment within the last three months. Funding up to £5,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 31st March 2027
viii) SWEF Enterprise Grants
Lincolnshire Community Foundation is providing funding to people aged 18 to 30 to invest in their business ventures. Eligible costs can include, but are not limited to, equipment that will help a business bring in a second revenue stream, prototypes, website/booking system build, training and product development. Funding up to £2,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
How To Apply For Recruit and Develop Staff Funding Schemes
Full details about how to apply for schemes and the eligibility criteria is available on each individual scheme page on the relevant website. Any deadlines, who can apply and what eligible costs the grants will cover will also be outlined on these pages. Interested individuals and businesses can speak to advisors based at each provider who can guide them through requirements and eligibility criteria to see if the relevant funding is a match with their needs and help them to apply. There are also application forms and other supporting guidance available on scheme pages as well.