More than £33 million is being set aside to reshape the teaching workforce in the North.
Only a small number of teachers under the age of 25 are employed full-time in secondary and primary schools.
At the same time, larger numbers of staff over the age of 55 are putting off their retirement for longer.
New plans, which are yet to be finalised, will see up to 500 teachers over the age of 55 offered early retirement.
Their posts will then be made available to young teachers who have qualified within the last three years.
However, this three-year cut-off is a cause for concern among those who are out of work but qualified within the last five to 10 years.
Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly committee for education also fear restricting access to the scheme might breach equality legislation.
The Department of Education says, however, that it is still fine-tuning the criteria and has further meetings with the Equality Commission lined up.
Since 2013/14, more than 2,000 graduates have registered with the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland, of which it is understood about 1,400 do not yet hold a permanent teaching position in a grant-aided school.
Education minister John O’Dowd says the scheme will refresh the workforce and boost the economy.
It is estimated that about £9 million will be saved in the first year due to teachers at the top of the scale leaving and being replaced by those at the bottom.
“The new scheme would align closely with my vision for education, which is to ensure that every learner fulfils his or her potential at each stage of their development,” Mr O’Dowd said.