Belfast City Council has joined forces with the Department for Communities, the Department for the Economy, and the Belfast Labour Market Partnership to introduce the JobStart Apprenticeship Pathway.

This new programme is designed to connect local jobseekers with paid employment opportunities that lead directly into formal apprenticeships.

The initiative utilises the council's established Employment Academy model, a framework that has successfully assisted more than 2,500 individuals in securing work over the past five years. Participants who are accepted onto the programme will receive dedicated support and skills training throughout February. This preparation leads to a JobStart placement lasting between six and nine months, after which successful candidates will be offered a permanent apprenticeship.

Most of the available roles are concentrated in high-growth sectors, including technology, business services, and construction. To showcase these opportunities, a Jobs Fair will be held at 2 Royal Avenue on Wednesday, 28 January, starting at 10am.

The event is open to all interested parties without the need for prior registration. Attendees will have the chance to meet employers and speak with Department for Communities work coaches to determine their eligibility. Information will also be provided regarding the February training sessions, which cover essential employability skills such as CV building, time management, and interview techniques. Councillor Ian McLaughlin, Chair of the council's City Growth and Regeneration Committee, highlighted the value of the scheme, stating: "This is a great opportunity for anyone who is out of work or finding it difficult to take the next step to call in and see if this is the right fit for them."

"Our Belfast Labour Market Partnership-funded Employment Academies have proven to be really popular in providing tailored training for jobseekers to develop their employability skills and to support employers with recruiting new staff.

"We're always looking for new avenues for our model so we can link more people to good jobs and, following feedback from employers in the construction sector, this programme will help provide potential candidates with the skills and confidence they need to connect to careers in growth sectors," Councillor McLaughlin concluded.

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons also expressed his support for the initiative: "JobStart is the biggest employment scheme of its kind, reaching more people and employers than any previous employability programme. The JobStart Apprenticeship Pathway opens yet another avenue for jobseekers to enter and thrive in the labour market through bespoke training and development opportunities. I would encourage attendance at this one-of-a-kind event where you can talk to our expert team and engage with employers face-to-face."

The JobStart scheme specifically targets working-age benefit claimants who are currently unemployed or economically inactive, providing the necessary assistance to facilitate their return to the workforce.

For more info on the JobStart Apprenticeship Pathway programme and the Jobs Fair event, visit belfastcity.gov.uk/jobsfair