The JobStart Scheme provides funding from the Department for Communities to allow employers to create new high quality job opportunities to help young people aged 16–24 at risk of long-term unemployment to enter the job market. Funding for each job opportunity will cover the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus the associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions. There will also be funding available to support young people to develop their employability and occupational skills and to help them move into sustained employment after they have completed their JobStart opportunity. Young people participating in JobStart will be supported through their job opportunity by Work Coaches based in the Jobs & Benefits office network, managed by the Department for Communities.
Employers – How to participate in the Scheme
Employers from all industries and across the private, public and voluntary sectors can get involved. All the information you need to apply is available at: www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/JobStart
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 create:
- must be a minimum of 25 hours per week, for 6 months (or 9 months if applicable)
- must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage for their age group
- should not require people to undertake extensive training before they begin the job
- All applications must include how you will help the young person 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
For more information about the JobStart Scheme email jobstart.scheme@communities-ni.gov.uk