JobStart Scheme

The new JobStart Scheme provides funding from the Department for Communities (DfC) to allow employers to create new job opportunities to help those who are currently unemployed or economically inactive, in receipt of working age benefits and wish to enter or re-enter the workplace.

Employers in Northern Ireland can receive 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage/National Living Wage (determined by the participant's age group) for up to 25 hours of work per week* along with the associated employer National Insurance contributions, and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions. Participants in the JobStart Scheme will be supported through their job opportunity by Work Coaches in their local Jobs & Benefits office.

Employer criteria to participate in JobStart

• Employers must be based in Northern Ireland.
• Employers of all sizes can participate in the scheme.
• Employers in all sectors can participate (including the voluntary and community sector).
• Employers can offer one job or multiple jobs to participate in JobStart (depending on number of staff currently in permanent employment).
• JobStart opportunities must not replace existing or planned vacancies or cause existing employees, apprentices or contractors to lose or reduce their employment.
• Jobs offered must provide a 6-month opportunity (or a 9-month opportunity at reduced hours (where flexibility is required and has been approved by a Work Coach).
• Job opportunities must offer up to 25 hours of employment per week*.
• Jobs offered must pay at least the National Minimum Wage (for the participant’s age group) through PAYE.

Please note: DfC will perform due diligence and financial checks on all employers.

For each job opportunity, funding will cover:

• 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage/National Living Wage for up to 25 hours of work per week*
• the associated employer National Insurance contributions
• employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions

*Employers may offer additional hours, but will be responsible for covering the additional costs. Please note: Employers will need to provide monthly payslips for each JobStart participant.

Following approval of an individualised training plan, employers can avail of funding for each job opportunity to cover any support and training the participant may need. A support grant of £750 is available for 6-month opportunities and £1,000 for 9-month opportunities. The grant will be paid in three instalments (or four instalments for 9-month opportunities) once required conditions have been met.

• Employers can apply for JobStart by completing an online application form at JobStart Employer Application^[1].
• Employers should allow 4 to 6 weeks for their application to be considered.
• Once an application has been approved, DfC will arrange for the opportunity to be advertised on JobApplyNI.com.
• Employers will follow their own recruitment process to select the best eligible candidate for the JobStart opportunity.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 31 December 2025.

Any person in receipt of working-age benefits can participate in the JobStart Scheme if they are assessed as being eligible by a Work Coach from their local Jobs & Benefits office. They can contact a Work Coach on 0800 001 5782 or by visiting their local Jobs & Benefits office^[2].

Employers are free to promote their involvement in the JobStart Scheme through social media and on company websites.

• Participants in the JobStart Scheme will have the same statutory entitlements as other employees in the company in which they are employed.
• Employers will be required to put in place the statutory employer duties for health, safety & welfare for participants, and pay National Insurance & Pension contributions.
• Employers must include support for participants to develop their occupational and employability skills to help them reach their full potential.
• Employers will commit to providing DfC with timely, up-to-date and accurate information, as required.
• Employers are encouraged to offer permanent employment to suitable JobStart Scheme participants.
• Alternatively, the participant will finish the job opportunity, having gained occupational and employability skills to help them find alternative employment or to progress into further education or training opportunities.
• DfC also works with employers to offer meaningful work experience for 16-65-year-olds through the Work Experience Programme. For further information, see Work Experience Programme^[3].

For further information, please contact DfC's JobStart & Work Experience Programme Branch by:

• Email: jobstart.scheme@communities-ni.gov.uk^[4]
• Telephone: 028 9072 6788