New JobStart scheme announced

1) How the scheme helps employers

Employers in Northern Ireland can receive 100% funding to create job opportunities for 16 – 65 year-olds who are unemployed or economically inactive and need support to enter or re-enter the labour market.

Funding for each JobStart opportunity will cover:

• the relevant National Living Wage for up to 25 hours per week*
• the associated employer National Insurance contributions
• an employer's minimum automatic enrolment pension contributions.

*Employers can offer additional hours but will have to fund the additional hours themselves

There will also be funding available to support participants to develop their employability and occupational skills and to help them move into sustained employment after they have completed their JobStart opportunity.

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.

2) Employers - How to participate in the Scheme 

Employers from all industries and across the private, public and voluntary sectors can get involved.

Once your application has been approved, the Department will arrange for the opportunity to be advertised on JobApplyNI.com. Employers will follow their own recruitment process for candidate selection.

The job opportunities created with JobStart funding must not: 

• replace existing or planned vacancies
• cause existing employees or contractors to lose or reduce their employment

The roles you are applying for: 

• must be a minimum of 25 hours per week for a 6-month opportunity (or up to 21 hours for a 9-month opportunity where flexibility has been approved by a Work Coach)
• must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage/National Living Wage for their age group 

The roles you create must 

• not require people to undertake extensive training before they begin the job 

All applications must include how you will help the participant to develop their skills and experience with: 

• training to develop occupational related skills
• training to develop employability skills, such as teamwork, organisation and communications as part of the role
• support to update their CV
• support to look for long-term work 

3) Apply as a JobStart employer

To register as an employer, go to the JobStart Employer Application - NI Direct. 

• 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.

4) Closing date

The closing date for applications is Saturday, 31 January 2026.

5) Further information 

For more information about the JobStart Scheme email [email protected].