Statistics Jersey have independently analysed data as compiled and provided by Customer and Local Services (CLS) as part of their quarterly report on registered unemployment.
As there is no official requirement for Jersey residents to be registered as actively seeking work (ASW), CLS defines people as those in receipt of an active income support claim.
Pictured: The figures show that unemployment is at its lowest since 2018.
The quarterly report shows that unemployment figures in Jersey are at their lowest since 2018, which CLS is says is down to the success of various campaigns within the Back to Work strategy.
In particular, the Government’s #RecruitLocal campaign, which is supported by the Fiscal Stimulus Fund, was deemed to have had an impact in the drop in these figures with over 180 employers successfully engaging with the campaign and employing local job seekers.
Covid-19 saw unemployment figures increase drastically in the early stages of the pandemic, before coming down. The report shows that, on a seasonally adjusted basis, the total number of people registered as ASW continues to fall.
At 810 registered people, this figure was 160 lower than the preceding quarter and 590 lower compared to the previous year.
After a recent rise, it was also noted that people registered as long-term ASW (twelve months or more) had now similarly decreased with the total of 320 showing a drop of 70 compared to 2021, and 90 relative to the third quarter. Although this was considered to be a “positive position for unemployment”, it was reminded that “long term unemployment remains relatively high” and that support for islanders that find themselves in that bracket will continue.
The report continues by stating that of the 810 people registered as ASW, 290 individuals were engaged in some form of paid employment and classified as underemployed. The report also stated that a greater number of women (460) than men (350) had been registered as ASW.
Pictured: Social Security Minister Judy Martin said she was “delighted to see that the number of long-term unemployed has dropped by 70 year on year.”
Doreen is an islander who found employment during last quarter with the assistance of CLS and Back to Work. “After not working for over 3 years due to a physical medical problem, I had lost a lot of self-confidence,” says Doreen. “I needed to change my career path in which I had no qualifications in and very little experience, but with the support from my Back to Work Employment Advisor, I gained the skills needed and my confidence grew.”
“I felt ready to go on a work placement within the retail industry and put my newfound skills into practice. I am very grateful for the support I received.”
Social Security Minister Deputy Judy Martin commented: “The primary goal has always been to get people back in to work as quickly as possible, as the longer someone is unemployed, the harder it is for them to return to the working environment.
“I am delighted to see that the number of long-term unemployed has dropped by 70 year on year. With the challenges a lot of organisations are facing, it is also pleasing to see that all of the job starts were across a variety of industries. We will be continuing to focus on supporting long term jobseekers and helping them move closer to employment.”
You can read the report in full HERE.
