Deadline approaching for employers to onboard JobStart participants

Registered employers must onboard participants to the JobStart scheme by the deadline of Tuesday 31 March 2026.

The JobStart scheme, funded by the Department for Communities (DfC), supports employers to create new job opportunities to help those who are currently unemployed or economically inactive, in receipt of working-age benefits, and wish to enter or re-enter the workplace.

Please note that applications for new employers to JobStart are now closed.

As the scheme’s recruitment deadline quickly approaches, this is the final opportunity for registered employers to get participants into post.

What must employers do before 31 March 2026?

Employers must note the following requirements:

• All JobStart participants must be in post on or before Tuesday 31 March 2026.
• All Permission to Start forms must be submitted and approved in advance of this date.
• Failure to submit the Permission to Start form before the participant begins may result in the role not being funded by DfC.
• DfC cannot accept any Permission to Start notifications after Tuesday 31 March 2026

How employers can make the most of the remaining time:

• Review live job roles and consider any candidate specification amendments.
• Finalise recruitment activity as soon as possible. Access the JobStart promotional guidance and stakeholder pack.
• Arrange and complete participant interviews as soon as possible.
• Submit Permission to Start forms in good time.

For queries, contact the JobStart team on 028 9072 6788 or email JobStart.scheme@communities-ni.gov.uk.

First published 12 March 2026