The Department for Communities’ JobStart Scheme, initially aimed at 16-24-year-olds, offers paid job opportunities to help improve skills and support the move into a permanent job or into further education or training.

The Department is now extending the Scheme to a small number of 50-64-year-olds (approx. 180). This will provide invaluable information on how beneficial this type of employability scheme is to this group. The findings will be used to inform future policy in this area.

This extension builds on the success of the JobStart Scheme to date and will provide job opportunities with a range of employers in all sectors across Northern Ireland. Those aged 50-64, who are currently unemployed are now eligible to apply for the Scheme.

This age group provides valuable opportunities for employers to utilise a wealth of skills and experience that would benefit businesses and is an ideal opportunity for anyone aged 50-64 to enter or re-enter the labour market.

The first JobStart Scheme, which ran from April 2021 to March 2023, had over 1,700 participants. The Scheme led to very positive outcomes for our young people with 77% of those who completed their JobStart opportunity remaining in employment.  The current phase of the Scheme which started in June 2023 is performing equally as well, with over 1,280 young people taking part in the Scheme to date.

Detailed information on the JobStart Scheme is available at www.nidirect.gov.uk/jobstart

Information for employers is also available at www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/jobstart

For queries or more information, please contact the JobStart team on 028 9072 6788 or by email at jobstart.scheme@communities-ni.gov.uk

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