'JobsFest' will create work opportunities

‘JobsFest’, a new eight-week initiative, is being launched by Back to Work. The initiative will include a series of events designed to prepare locally qualified jobseekers to return to the work place, and an Employer Incentive which will enable employers to hire locally qualified jobseekers at no financial cost.

 

Under the JobsFest Employer Incentive, up to eight weeks’ wages and social security contributions will be paid to employers that hire locally qualified jobseekers who have been registered as actively seeking work throughout 2013.

 

The incentive will run from 7 October to 30 November and is open to all Jersey employers.

 

It is hoped that employers will use this as a springboard to continue to employ the staff at the end of the eight weeks. Additional incentives will be available to employers who retain staff for up to six months or more.

 

Social Security Minister, Senator Francis Le Gresley, said: “The JobsFest Employer Incentive comes at a time of the year when there are fewer job vacancies, and Jersey is facing its first winter period with a significant decrease in the fulfilment industry in an increasingly competitive jobs market.

 

“The incentive presents an opportunity for employers to hire motivated job seekers who could then become permanent members of staff. While retail businesses in particular are expected to be attracted to this initiative, I hope that all businesses across a range of industries will see it as an opportunity.”

 

A Job Match event to give employers the opportunity to meet and recruit candidates on a speed interview basis will take place on Wednesday 25 September 2013.

 

Employers wishing to recruit a candidate through the JobsFest Employer Incentive should contact Back to Work on 447411 or email backtowork@gov.je.

 

In addition to the incentive, JobsFest involves a series of events and activities which will be delivered throughout October and November. Locally qualified jobseekers will receive a diary of activities, outlining the various programmes scheduled to take place during JobsFest, which have been created to help support them into employment.