15 September 2015
Back to Work’s eight-week JobsFest initiative returns this autumn to help get jobseekers into employment.
Now in its third year, JobsFest will run from Monday 5 October 2015 to Sunday 29 November 2015 and will include an employer incentive and a series of training events designed to support people into work.
JobsFest Employer Incentive
Under the JobsFest Employer Incentive, the wages and Social Security contributions, worth up to £2,000 are paid during the eight week period to businesses hiring eligible jobseekers. It enables anyone who has been unemployed throughout 2015 to be hired for this period at no financial cost to the business.
Last year 80 new vacancies were filled using the JobsFest Employer Incentive, and over 60% of those were kept on by their employer after the incentive ended. JobsFest comes at a time of the year when there are traditionally fewer job vacancies at the end of the season. The timing of the initiative intends to bridge the gap between the end of summer seasonal jobs and the start of the busy Christmas period when many businesses would be expected to employ extra staff.
Job Match event
A job match event will take place on 23 September 2015 when employers can meet a range of candidates. Social Security Minister Deputy Susie Pinel has encouraged employers to use it as an opportunity to meet eligible jobseekers.
Deputy Pinel said: “JobsFest is back for a third year because it works. We’ve had a lot of success over the last two years with this initiative in getting people into employment who have not worked all year, and we are encouraging employers to engage with Back to Work in the same way again this year.
“Through the Job Match employers can meet and interview jobseekers quickly and easily. As we have seen since JobsFest first launched in 2013, it has already been a huge success with over 180 jobs created in the previous two years. This is a win win situation for both the employers and the jobseekers who have participated. Through the incentive employers are given the chance to recruit at no financial cost for eight weeks, and for the jobseekers it’s a step closer towards securing sustainable employment and financial independence. I hope employers will again see this initiative as a springboard for recruiting, and continue to employ their new staff after the JobsFest support has ended.”
Help for registered jobseekers
As well as the incentive for employers, all registered jobseekers will soon receive a diary of JobsFest events which are all designed to help registered jobseekers gain new skills and fresh inspiration. The detailed programme of events are being run from 5 October 2015 to 27 November 2015 and include:
- industry specific talks ranging from web design to working in finance
- workshops designed to help jobseekers improve their CVs and interview skills
- confidence-building sessions and personal development
- tips on effective job searching.
At least one event will be held every day in October and November. Last year’s events saw over 1,000 bookings made during the eight weeks of JobsFest.
Employers wishing to take advantage of the JobsFest Incentive and book onto the Job Match event on 23 September can call +44(0)1534 447411.
gov.je