Apply for JobStart Scheme funding

26 June 2024

Deadline: June 30, 2024

The JobStart Scheme provides funding from the Department for Communities to allow employers to create new job opportunities to help young people aged 16-24 at risk of long-term unemployment to enter the workplace. The JobStart Scheme will also be open to people aged 50-64 who are wish to enter or re-enter the workplace.

You can receive 100% government funding to create 6-month job opportunities for 16-24 year olds and 50-64 year olds who are not in employment, education or training.

Participants will be supported through their job opportunity by Work Coaches in the Department for Communities and the JobStart Team for those not on benefits.

For each job opportunity you will receive funding to cover:

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

*You can offer additional hours but you will have to fund the additional hours yourself.

Please note: You will need to provide monthly payslips for each JobStart participant.

Following approval of an individualised training plan you can avail of a support grant for each job opportunity to cover any support and training the participant may need, such as uniforms, health and safety training, inductions, accredited training and any other costs to the company to support the participant settle into employment.

The support grant will provide you with funding of £1000 for 6-month opportunities. You will be paid the grant in two instalments once you have met certain conditions.

For each job opportunity you must help the participant become more employable.

Find out more here on how to apply and please read through eligibility criteria.

This scheme closes on Sunday 30th June