"Employers - knuckle down and start training"

Wednesday 13 May 2015

Businesses in Jersey will have to train local workers rather than assume they will get licences, according to the politician in charge of population and work regulation.

Senator Paul Routier said some employers appeared unwilling to invest in staff but it was essential if the Island was going to achieve the twin aims of economic growth and population control.

"I think any business would prefer to train locally but there seems to be a reluctance in some quarters," he said. "At the end of the day, we have 1,390 people who have registered as unemployed and probably another 1,000 who haven't. There are already people in the Island with skills - yes, they might need training - but it preferable to bringing someone in. Remember, the Annual Social Survey revealed that a high percentage of Islanders thought that controlling the population should be a key priority of the States."

Addressing the States yesterday, Senator Routier revealed that the Population Office issued 440 new 'registered permissions' (or job licences) to employers in 2014. It refused 316 applications and removed 813 licences from businesses not using them.

Businesses need a licence to employ anyone with less than five years residency although it is the job rather than the individual which is licensed. The hospitality sector has the most licences with 1,700 while financial services firms have 1,100.

Business can apply for licences and there is an appeals process if the application is rejected.