Minister visits doggy daycare centre to mark JobStart success
Date published:
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has seen at first-hand the benefits of the JobStart programme during a visit to a business taking part in the scheme.
K9ndergarten, a dog daycare service based in south Belfast, has used the programme, which is funded by the Department of Communities, to create a new job opportunity with the participant already in post.
During the visit, Minister Lyons heard more about the training and support that is helping people to enter and thrive in the labour market.
The Minister said:
“I am pleased to visit K9ndergarten and see how JobStart is already creating good quality work opportunities. This is a prime example of how we are giving businesses access to motivated people eager to gain experience that benefits both the participant and the employer.
“My department aims to support over 1,200 benefit claimants through this latest phase of JobStart and I would encourage more employers to sign up as we look to build on this early success.
“Through this initiative, I am prioritising the provision of employment support to help people overcome the barriers they face moving into, retaining and progressing in employment.”
Since its launch last month, 256 employer applications have been approved with 352 positions currently on offer through the Department’s JobApplyNI website.
Director of K9ndergarten Gary Hazlett said:
“The JobStart scheme has been great for us because it has helped us grow and develop the business by bringing new people in and giving us the means to train them up to a high standard. We have also been able to retain some employees who came through JobStart and we are delighted to participate again this year.”
The portal allowing employers to find out more information and to register for the scheme can be accessed through nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/jobstart.
JobStart opportunities for participants are live on the Department for Communities’ JobApplyNI.com website with further opportunities set to be made available in the coming days and weeks.
Notes to editors:
- Picture caption 1: Former JobStart participants Eoin McComb and Carla Magee, volunteer Michael Falls, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, K9dergarten director Gary Hazlett and current JobStart participant Maria Hannon pictured with some of the dogs at day care.
- Picture caption 2: Communities Minister Gordon Lyons meets Nala at K9dergarten.
- The new JobStart scheme will allow 1,234 working age benefit claimants to participate.
- Across the previous JobStart schemes, over 4,000 employer applications have been approved; more than 3,000 jobseekers participated on the schemes; with more than 2,000 participants gaining employment and over 150 moving into education or training.
- The first JobStart employment scheme was launched as a COVID response in 2021 to improve the employability and chances of sustained employment for young people aged 16-24.
- Since the first scheme launched in 2021 the department has developed additional schemes continually adapting to meet the changing needs of both employers and jobseekers. Today’s launch sees the widest ranging programme yet, open to claimants of all ages.
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