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Introduction
According to the latest research from the Indeed Hiring Lab, UK online job postings were down by 5% month on month in June 2026 and down by 13% year on year. This trend signifies that hiring activity in the UK by employers is continuing to go on a downward trend and job postings are currently at 32% below the 1 February 2020 pre-pandemic baseline use to check hiring performance.
Over the past 12 months, there are only a few sectors in the UK that have seen an increase in hiring activity, which are as follows:
i) Industrial Engineering (+9.8%)
ii) IT Systems and Solutions (+1.6%)
iii) Arts and Entertainment – (2.3%)
iv) Veterinary – (+2.0%)
There are other sectors which have seen a huge dip in hiring activity across the past 12 months and the worst performing are as follows
i) Physicians and Surgeons (-33.1%)
ii) Real Estate (-31.9%)
iii) Installation and Maintenance (-25.7%)
iv) Construction (-25.5%)
v) Loading and Stocking (-23.5%)
vi) Insurance (-22.5%)
vii) Production and Manufacturing (-22.2%)
viii) Sales (-21.1%)
In terms of wage growth, the UK has seen average wages increase by 4% as a year on year average when measured by a 3 month average up to May 2026. This has come down from the peak wage growth of 8% which was observed in 2023 and was primarily caused due to inflation and widespread labour shortages.
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 councils, 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 Recruiting And Developing Staff Grants Funding Opportunities Available?
i) Training Grant
Invest in West Lothian is providing funding to businesses to invest in accredited training and upskilling. Applicant businesses need to be viable, have a plan for growth and operate in a higher-value sector such as construction, food and drink, manufacturing, engineering, technology and life sciences. Funding up to £50,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
ii) Business Growth Grant
Carmarthenshire County Council is providing funding available to businesses with plans to grow and/or ensure sustainability. The funding can cover costs including equipment, fixtures and fittings, IT hardware, specialist software and training, including specialist and technical training on the use of machines. Funding up to £50,000 is available.
Application Deadline: 31st October 2026
iii) Caithness Business Fund – Apprenticeship Grants
Caithness Chamber of Commerce is providing grants to support the development of existing businesses through training, growth plans or employing an apprentice. FutureSkills Apprenticeship schemes will provide financial support for apprenticeships of up to four years in duration. Funding up to £24,500 is available.
Application Deadline: 29th July 2026
iv) Skills Advancement Grant
Invest Northern Ireland is providing grants to small companies that are exporting or are ready to export to assist with staff training and upskilling activities. Funding up to £15,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
v) Wychavon Growth Fund
Wychavon District Council is running a fund that will support a wide range of activities that will help businesses grow, such as investing in new equipment, expanding facilities to accommodate new activity/employees, creating new jobs, or improving productivity. Sectors covered include the manufacturing, rural, tourism and hospitality sectors. Funding up to £15,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vi) Small Business Growth Grant
Wyre Council is running a scheme that will support business growth projects including training, such as gaining accreditation or membership of a recognised body. Success of projects will be measured by the number of jobs safeguarded or jobs created. Funding up to £5,000 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
vii) Apprenticeship Grants
The Construction Industry Training Board is running a scheme that provides grants for approved apprenticeships at Level 2 and above that focus on core construction skills needed across the industry. The scheme is running in England, Scotland and Wales Funding up to £3,500 is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
viii) Graduate Recruitment Fund
Manchester Metropolitan University is providing expert support and funding to businesses towards the cost of recruiting the university’s recent graduates. Graduates must be employed for a minimum of six months. Funding of £2,000 per recruited graduate is available.
Application Deadline: Applications are invited on an ongoing basis
How To Apply For UK Recruiting And Developing 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.