The employment drive, backed by £1bn of funding, was announced alongside what the Government says is the biggest transformation of apprenticeships in a decade.
Under the deal for young people, businesses will receive £3,000 for every young person they hire aged 18-24 who has been on Universal Credit and looking for work for six months, via a new youth jobs grant.
An apprenticeship incentive of £2,000 will be also available for each new employee aged 16-24 taken on by an SME.
The move comes as figures show that apprenticeships starts amongst young people are down 40% in the past decade and that almost one million young people are not earning or learning - a rise of 248,000 between 2021-2024.
Kerridge, who has provided dozens of apprenticeships across his eponymous restaurant group, says the incentives will give the hospitality industry ‘a great boost’.
“I welcome this announcement which will provide amazing opportunities to young people looking to get into this industry and others, to learn a trade and earn along the way,” he says.
“I’ve trained apprentices in my restaurants, and I know what a great start it gives them in their careers.”
The £3,000 youth jobs grant is modelled on proposals submitted by UKHospitality, with the trade body saying the measures remove barriers for businesses employing more people.
“Acting as the equivalent to an employer NICs holiday for businesses employing young people, the grant helps to address a major cost challenge for hospitality businesses,” says Kate Nicholls, UKHospitality chair.
“With employment costs rapidly increasing, engaging with the government to introduce these incentives has been one of our priorities and can support businesses to help reduce the cost of employment.
“These announcements show the benefit of working closely with business groups to design measures and policies that are practical, cost-saving and work for businesses.
“It’s crucial this approach continues and that the government ensures that people of all ages have routes to learn and develop skills in hospitality.”