ALMOST three-quarters of Islanders offered employment through the government-subsidised Recruit Local scheme have been given permanent roles, the government has confirmed.
Figures released by the Social Security Department show that the campaign, which was launched in 2021 as part of the post-Covid Fiscal Stimulus initiative, led to 118 Islanders successfully gaining full-time jobs.
Analysis by the department’s Back to Work team showed that 72% of those who had taken up new posts after being out of work had sustained their employment.
The campaign enabled employers to take on staff at no cost, with the government paying the wages and social-security contributions for up to six months. In total, more than 180 employers engaged with the programme.
Social Security Minister Judy Martin said: ‘This campaign was all about getting unemployed Islanders back into work as quickly as possible. The number of local businesses who got on board was excellent and I’m delighted to see this campaign do so well.
‘We know that the longer someone is unemployed the harder it is for them to get back to work, so I’m really pleased to see the hard work from the team pay off and help connect Islanders with employment opportunities.’
The JEP has been among the businesses to have benefited from the scheme following the successful recruitment of Sylwia Romaniuk, who took up a role as administrative assistant in August 2021.
Editor Andy Sibcy said: ‘We were really keen to get involved in this scheme from the point at which it was launched and were delighted to attract a high calibre of candidate.
‘Sylwia has become a real asset to both the editorial and accounts teams at the JEP and shown how a scheme such as Recruit Local can benefit the individual, the employer and the Island. She quickly made a positive impression and we didn’t hesitate in offering her a permanent role after six months.’
Employers who are interested in learning more about the ongoing financial incentive programme, should contact the Back to Work team on 444444 or email backtowork@gov.je.
