JobsFest Employer Incentive Scheme: Financial Support

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A decision made 14 September 2015:

Decision Reference: MD-S-2015-0075
Decision Summary Title :	JobsFest Employer Incentive		Date of Decision Summary:	11 September 2015
Decision Summary Author:	Back to Work Manager		Decision Summary: Public or Exempt?	Public
Type of Report: Oral or Written?	Written		Person Giving Oral Report:	N/A
Written Report Title :	Back to Work JobsFest Employer Incentive Guidelines		Date of Written Report:	26 August 2015
Written Report	Back to Work Manager		Written Report :	Public
Subject: JobsFest Employer Incentive
Decision(s): The Minister decided to implement a non-statutory JobsFest Employer Incentive to provide financial support to employers to recruit locally qualified jobseekers for up to eight weeks at no financial cost.
Reason(s) for Decision: Under the JobsFest Employer Incentive, up to 8 weeks wages and Social Security contributions will be paid to employers who hire locally qualified jobseekers who have been registered as Actively Seeking Work since January 2015. The incentive will run from 5 October to the 29 November 2015 and is open to all Jersey employers. The key aims of the incentive are to : Encourage and financially support employers to recruit staff who are longer term unemployed. Bring those furthest from the job market closer to securing long-term sustainable unsubsidised employment. Enhance the employability and in-work skills of registered jobseekers that have been out of work since January 2015. The JobsFest Employer Incentive supports roles between 25-35 hours per week and provides funding at minimum wage (£6.78 per hour) plus employer Social Security contributions (6.5%). The weekly value of the incentive will therefore range between £180.52 (25 hours) to £252.72 (35 hours) depending on the number of hours worked. Employers are able to pay a higher hourly rate and also offer employment for more hours per week. Employers who subsequently retain candidates on a permanent full time basis may claim a pro rata amount of the Employment Incentive (depending on candidate criteria).
Resource Implications: An initial budget of £180,500 has been allocated, approximately enough for the recruitment of 74 individuals into posts for 35 hours per week during the period, as well as associated marketing and logistical costs and a programme of events for all jobseekers. Support staff will be required so that the scheme operates in an effective and efficient manner, funding will be provided from the existing budget held by the Social Security Department for the Back to Work Programme.
Action required: Back to Work Manager to implement the JobsFest Employer Incentive.
Signature:		Position: Minister
Date Signed:		Date of Decision (If different from Date Signed):