The new JobStart programme, the largest jobs scheme of its kind in Northern Ireland, has successfully secured over one thousand new employment opportunities within weeks of its launch.

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announced that 385 employers have already applied to the scheme, offering a total of 1,060 new job openings.

The scheme provides opportunities for individuals who are currently claiming working age benefits and are unemployed or economically inactive to enter the job market. It features two strands: the first offers six months of paid employment at 25 hours per week, compensated at National Minimum Wage/National Living Wage; the second offers nine months of employment at 15 hours per week, aimed at those facing additional barriers to entering the workforce, with flexibility tailored to individual needs.

Minister Lyons expressed his satisfaction with the initial uptake:

"I am delighted JobStart has been so successful in these early days. It is the biggest jobs programme of its kind and is already well on its way to reaching more people and employers than before.

"I have no doubt we will continue to see a high volume of applications from employers and participants as we continue to build upon the success of previous JobStart programmes recently delivered by the Department.” So far, 125 employer applications have been approved, with 102 employers currently offering 239 live positions on the Department's JobApplyNI website.

The Northern Cricket Union (NCU) is one organisation that has participated in and recommitted to the scheme. NCU Chief Executive Callum Atkinson said the programme has proven highly beneficial for both the participants and the organisation:

"The Northern Cricket Union has been proud to work in partnership with the JobStart Scheme over recent years, and we've seen first-hand the positive impact it can have on people and on our organisation.

"One of our recent employees began his career with us through the scheme, going on to progress through several roles in our organisation, developing both professionally and personally over a 3 year period, before moving on to pursue his passion for PE teaching.

"His journey is a great example of how JobStart can inspire people to discover their area of interest and take the next step in their careers."

The new scheme is projected to support over 1,200 working age benefit claimants into work across Northern Ireland.

The portal allowing employers to register for the scheme can be accessed through the * Department's website.

JobStart opportunities for participants are now live on the Department for Communities' jobapplyni website with further opportunities set to be made available in the coming days and weeks.