#Jsy2018: Digital dinosaurs or tech-savvy thinkers?

Wednesday 09 May 2018

This time next week you'll have the opportunity to vote for who you want to govern the island - and with 'digital' changing the way we live our lives, separating out the digital dinosaurs from the tech-savvy thinkers is likely to be on the minds of many voters.

Not only have those vying for a seat in the island’s next government been door knocking, printing leaflets, writing up manifestos and answering questions at hustings… but Digital Jersey has also asked them to record their answers to what it sees as key questions facing the local tech sector.

More than 20 candidates, including new political faces and ones hoping to return to the assembly, took up the challenge to answer a range of questions, from general ones on how they would ensure the digital sector is given political priority, to more specific areas, like how they would balance immigration and a skills shortage, and whether Jersey should introduce a Government-backed investment fund taking equity for investment, rather than a grant or loans system? 

“Technology is disrupting all parts of our daily lives so we wanted to allow candidates the opportunity to voice their opinions in this area”

Find out more about Jersey's first digital hustings & view candidates' responses here - https://t.co/BL43ezOqAV #technews pic.twitter.com/gZ21jGIihK

— Digital Jersey (@DigitalJersey) May 2, 2018

But in-keeping with digital advances, the candidates didn’t give their answers to a packed hall, but were recorded and uploaded onto the Digital Jersey website instead.

The video recordings can be viewed at www.digital.je/hustings alongside a link to Digital Jersey’s own manifesto, which was written in January outlining the issues facing the sector’s future therefore explaining why it is reliant on the Governments actions to diversify the economy, promote skills and productivity. 

Manifesto aims include:

• Strategy & Leadership – Cooperation between public and private sector leadership, working together through Digital Jersey
• Investment in local innovation – Create the right conditions for any digital business to start and grow
• Technology Education & Skills – Implement a ‘digital skills pathway’ to improve and enhance the delivery of higher education digital skills delivery
• An inclusive digital society – ensure all in society can benefit from the opportunities offered through technology

Chief Executive Officer of Digital Jersey, Tony Moretta, said: “When you consider where you would like Jersey’s economy to be in 5, 10 even 20 years’ time, it’s essential that our digital sector is at the forefront of Government’s agenda. Technology is disrupting all parts of our daily lives so we wanted to allow candidates the opportunity to voice their opinions in this area."