|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Introduction
According to a 2024 survey carried out by Manx Financial Group, 31% of UK SMEs questioned have had to stop or pause key business growth activities such as hiring new staff over the last few years due to a lack of finance. It is also the case that around 10% of SMEs who attempted to secure external finance, such as loans to drive these activities were unable to access it.
It is the case that there are a number of local and national grants that businesses can apply for in order to support job creation activities in their company. This funding can include subsidising the initial wages of a new hire, paying for an intern to work at a company for a placement or setting up a new apprenticeship position and covering some of the wage costs.
What Are Some Of the Latest UK Job Creation Grants Available?
i) UWE Bristol Internship Scheme 2024-2025
The University of the West of England is providing salary subsidies for SMEs to help them cover the costs of employing a UK domiciled or international student from the University of the West of England on an internship basis for a period of 148 hours. Funding worth up to £1,864 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis for the current academic year
ii) Financial Support and Training Advice to Grow Your Small Business
Cardiff and Vale College is providing businesses with a grant and expert guidance to help them take on a new recruit and continue developing their skills. Funding worth up to £10,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
iii) Intermediate Labour Market Opportunity Ways to Work
St Helens Council is providing access to grants for employers in the local area towards the cost of recruiting economically inactive residents for a period of 26 weeks. The grant allows SMEs to claim back salary costs on a monthly basis (in arrears) for a 35 hours per week job at least paying National Minimum Wage.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
iv) Opportunity Investment Fund
Haringey Council is providing a scheme that aims to support SMEs to grow with targets focused on increasing employment and commercial floor space. The fund particularly targets creative businesses and businesses interested in becoming more sustainable in the local area. Funding worth up to £300,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
v) Southwark Living Wage Grant Scheme
Islington Council is providing a scheme that aims to support newly accredited London Living Wage Employers in the Southwark area with their accreditation fees. Applicants must have accredited with the Living Wage Foundation for the first time on or after 6 November 2023.
Application Deadline: 31st March 2026
vi) WorkBoost
Sevenoaks District Council is providing a scheme that will reimburse wages paid to new staff who would work up to 21 hours a week for up to 12 weeks in the local area.
Application Deadline: Employment can start anytime, but must be completed by 28 February 2025
vii) Futures For All Employer Recruitment Incentive 2024/25
Perth and Kinross Council is providing funding to help businesses provide sustainable employment opportunities for unemployed individuals in the local area. The incentive will cover a period of up to 52 weeks. Funding worth up to £8,000 is currently available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis for the current financial year
viii) CITB NI Industrial Placement Grant 2024/25 Training Year – Grants for Apprentices
The Construction Industry Training Board Northern Ireland is providing grants for construction employers to hire and train a student from a university or college in Northern Ireland for a minimum period of six months. Funding up to £1,500 is currently available.
Application Deadline: 31st August 2025
How To Apply For Job Creation Grant 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 businesses can speak to grant 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.
Want To Find The Latest UK Job Creation Funding Opportunities?
If you want to see the full set of UK job creation funding currently available, please visit https://getbusinessgrants.com/
