12 January 2012
A working partnership between JT and the States will provide 100 Jersey job-seekers with the opportunity to apply for roles created by the Gigabit Jersey project.
A States team led by the Social Security Department will be working closely with JT to match current job-seekers with the posts being created by the telecoms company. The working party will also be discussing training opportunities so that more of those looking for work are equipped with the skills needed to fill future posts for Gigabit Jersey.
JT will need to employ cabling engineers, jointing engineers and internal engineers – a mix of unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled roles – for different parts of the project to provide Jersey with a comprehensive fibre telecoms network. The project to replace the current copper cable network with fibre-optic cabling in all Island households could take 5 years and will place Jersey at the forefront of global technology innovation. The roles will initially be available only to people who are currently unemployed and have 5 years residency.
Chief Minister Senator Ian Gorst said “This innovative project will provide a significant boost to the economy and the local job market and is an exciting opportunity for all concerned to contribute to Jersey’s future. The work that has been done with the Social Security Department team in recent weeks is the kind of partnership between the private and public sector that we would like to see more of over the coming months.
“States departments have a clear direction from the Council of Ministers that supporting Islanders in their efforts to work is a top priority and partnerships like this one with JT will run alongside the platform of initiatives being developed and extended by Social Security and its partners as part of the 'Back to Work' campaign.”
Social Security Minister Senator Francis Le Gresley said that the department had been encouraged by the willingness of JT to work with them to create opportunities for Island job-seekers.
“I would urge any employers who are creating positions or have staff vacancies to get in touch, giving us the opportunity to match the skills of job-seekers with the needs in the market place,” he said. “Back to Work is a long term programme and we need the input of employers and industry to provide the best employment prospects for all Islanders.”
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