Digital sector 'now equal to size of tourism'

Wednesday 01 May 2019

Jersey's tech sector is now roughly equal to the tourism industry, contributing £180 million of value to the island's economy, a new report has found.

The findings following a review by Tech Nation, a UK government-backed body, who were invited by Digital Jersey CEO Tony Moretta to measure the size and changing shape of the local digital economy.

Their report also showed that the telecoms industry, which currently employs more than 600 staff, now has a similar level of productivity to finance, with approximately £100,000 per full-time equivalent worker.

There are 3,032 people currently working in the digital economy in Jersey, with average salaries of £44,500, compared with around 2,050 people in 2010. This means that, on average, digital and tech employment has grown by more than 100 jobs each year for the past nine years.

TechNation also found that the shortage of tech talent is having a significant impact on Jersey businesses. 75% of survey respondents said recruiting skilled workers was a challenge and is affecting their ability to scale.

This is leading them to opening offices off-island, or employing off-island remote workers. On top of the shortage list are software developers, graphic designers and data analysts.

Pictured: Tony Moretta, Digital Jersey Chief Executive.

He commented: "The language around technology has shifted dramatically in the past five years. We’ve gone from it being a 'nice-to-have' to it being a fundamental pillar of all that powers Jersey. As an industry, we punch above our weight. That, in turn, helps our island do likewise.

"Digital Jersey has grown through membership of the Hub, the creation of our IoT lab DJX, the Sandbox Jersey testbed proposition which is garnering international attention, and our Digital Jersey Academy to ensure the workforce of today and tomorrow is equipped with the skills employers need."

George Windsor, Head of Insights at Tech Nation, added: "The first of its kind, this report emphasises the importance of digital tech to the vitality of the ecosystem both now and for the future. Tech is not a sector in its own right but is an important catalyst for digital transformation of complimentary industries, like financial services and agriculture."

As part of their report, TechNation made a series of recommendations which included growing the digital tech sector though international markets, forget connections with other tech hubs and promote flexible working to "make the most of non-Jersey talent."