23 January 2014
More than 30 jobs have been created through the Back to Work Community Jobs Fund since its launch in September 2013.
Through the fund, up to six months’ wages and social security contributions are paid when young or long-term jobseekers are employed by a charity or organisation in a role which offers a clear additional benefit to the community.
Organisations can select candidates who are aged 16 to 24 who have been unemployed for six months or more, or jobseekers of any age that have been unemployed for a year or more.
Social Security Minister, Senator Francis Le Gresley, said the incentive was providing both a community benefit and an opportunity for jobseekers to develop their skills.
“This initiative is making a real difference in our community by giving charities and organisations the chance to create new positions with an additional community benefit. Furthermore we are providing a route back to sustainable employment for our jobseekers by creating a platform on which they can gain work experience and develop their skills,” he said.
Organisations benefit from Community Jobs Fund
One organisation benefiting from the incentive is the Jersey Brain Tumour Charity, which in November recruited Nadia Callec as a charity coordinator.
The charity’s chairman, Sue May, said “The Community Jobs Fund application process was very simple and the fund’s team made it even easier. The appointment of Nadia has given us the freedom to spend more time with the people that really need our support.
“Nadia is making significant progress in her role since joining us and she continues to grow within our organisation. With her help we have begun to develop new ideas which we hope to implement in the near future.”
Organisations can still apply for the fund by providing details of the role they would like to create and how the community would benefit as a result. Examples of roles created to date include a family support coordinator, a renovator, an education assistant and a children’s club leader.
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