Employment

The Department can provide both jobseekers and employers with the help and support they need to find employment, gain work experience, or recruit new staff.

Advice on training, support and looking for work is available for jobseekers by visiting a local Jobs & Benefits office or Careers Resource Centre. Information and advice is also available online at nidirect.gov.uk. Additional support for people with disabilities is available from the Health and Work Support branch and Work Psychology Services.

For employers, DfC's Employer Services Branch can help you recruit the right colleagues for your organisation, or to access the range of employment and support programmes and services available.

Find out more about all of the Department's services in the sections below.

Finding employment

The Department provides support for Jobseekers through a network of 35 local Jobs & Benefits offices. Support is also provided for people with disabilities through the Health and Work Support Branch and Work Psychology Services.

Finding staff

If you want to recruit the right employees for your organisation, or access the range of support programmes and services available to you and your team, the Department’s Employer Services Branch can help.

JobStart

The JobStart Scheme provides funding from the Department for Communities to allow 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.

Job fairs and events calendar

The Department for Communities partners with local stakeholders including councils, employers and community and voluntary support organisations to deliver job fairs, employability and information events throughout the year.
Upcoming events are available at the link below.

DfC Supports and Advice Services

With the current cost of living increases impacting many individuals and households at this time, the Department for Communities has a range of financial supports and advice available which may help.

Are your qualifications recognised in the UK?

If you are resident in Northern Ireland and need to check your country's qualifications against UK equivalents, you can access our free Qualification Equivalence Service by contacting your local Jobs & Benefits office.

Redundancy Service

The Department offers a Redundancy Service to help employers and employees through the process of redundancy.

Redundancy Service – explainer videos

Contacts list for Employer Advisers in local Jobs & Benefits offices

Each local Jobs & Benefits office has at least one dedicated Employer Adviser who can help with recruitment for small, medium or micro sized employers within Northern Ireland and provide support on services including work experience placements and employability schemes.

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Employment

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