Jersey work placement scheme doubling in size

A work placement scheme is doubling in size as part of an initiative to get unemployed people in Jersey.

Advance Plus will take on four new staff so it can help an extra 200 people in the coming year.

The scheme is part of the States of Jersey's investment in reducing unemployment, one of the chief minister's key priorities.

Jersey has record high levels of unemployment, with 1,530 people out of work in November.

The Advance Plus scheme was set up by the government to help job-seekers aged 20 or over by offering work placements, personal mentoring and training.

It works alongside the Advance to Work scheme which caters for job-seekers aged between 16 and 19.

'Proven track record'

Rebecca Cook, Advance Plus team leader, said: "We are keen to extend the success that we have had with Advance Plus.

"Of the 174 people who have enrolled in our previous schemes, some 63% have moved into employment.

"Many of those had been unemployed for over a year before joining the scheme so we believe that, with the resources in place to extend the scheme, we can help reduce the number of people who have become long-term unemployed."

Jersey's Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst, said: "Advance Plus and Advance to Work have a proven track record of getting people into work, and extending the Advance Plus scheme will be a vital part of our efforts to reduce long-term unemployment in Jersey.

"Over the coming months the Back to Work team will be developing a number of initiatives to offer people the skills they need to fill island job vacancies."
(from BBC)