Hospitality jobs campaign launched

A campaign to get locally-qualified jobseekers into work in hospitality is being launched.

 

The Back to Work Hospitality Campaign gives Islanders the chance to train and then get a job in hospitality, and gives the industry the opportunity to recruit new staff at no financial cost for the first four weeks of their employment.

 

Through the campaign’s training programme, jobseekers get the basic skills needed to work in the industry. Through the incentive scheme, hospitality employers can claim the minimum wage for the first four weeks of their employment.

 

The Social Security Minister, Senator Francis Le Gresley, said “The dedicated training programme will mean that jobseekers have the skills and attitude that the industry expects and, by paying their wages for the first four weeks, we think that employers will be more willing to hire an Islander because he or she will have a head start. They can get on-the-job training, and reach the standard needed, at almost no cost to the employer.”

 

The incentive is only available for jobseekers who have completed the training programme, or who have been actively seeking work for at least six months.

 

 

Candidates for the scheme will learn the foundations skills for the industry and then one of a number of specialist areas including food service, kitchen skills, reception, porter, bar and housekeeping.

 
Anyone who has gone through the training programme will continue to get support from a Back to Work advisor while they start work. Back to Work will pay the minimum wage, including Social Security contributions, for 25 to 40 hours’ work per week for four weeks. Employers can choose to pay a higher hourly rate, and for additional hours, should they wish.

 

Job match events are also planned for February and March at which employers can meet suitable candidates in one place.

 

Jersey Hospitality Association CEO Gerald Fletcher said “The tourism industry has a wide range of vacancies this season and it would be wonderful if they could be mostly filled by Island residents. We were pleased to make recommendations for this year’s Back to Work Hospitality Campaign and it is great to see that specialist training will be given in a hotel so that jobseekers can see the industry in action and understand how important each role is to its continuing success.

 

“I hope that – with the important skills required and the positive attitude needed to work in tourism – jobseekers are inspired to join. Jersey is justifiably proud of its hospitality industry and the great contribution it makes to island life, but it is only as good as the service that our visitors receive and for that we rely on great staff.”

 

Employers can attend a breakfast briefing on Thursday 6 February 2014 by contacting Back to Work.

 

Candidates can find out more about Hospitality Campaign 2014 by coming into Work Zone in Social Security.