Number of jobseekers hits eight-year low

Friday 06 October 2017

The number of people actively seeking work has hit its lowest point in eight years, it was revealed today.

Unemployment figures released in a report by the States Statistics Unit showed that 450 fewer people registered with the Social Security Department were looking for a job compared with the same period last year.

That brings total jobseekers to a new low of 980 – a decrease of nearly a third from September 2016, when there were 1,430.

That number is also 20 lower than at the end of the previous quarter, despite 100 parents looking for new jobs as their children started nursery in September.

Those who were registered as being ‘long-term unemployed’ – without work for more than a year – also fell by 20 to 270.

Deputy Graham Truscott said that he was “delighted” with the unemployment statistics, but warned against complacency.

“Over the last few weeks, the Back to Work team has registered another 100 Income Support parents onto the scheme – so it really is a testament to their efforts and hard work that the figures at the end of this quarter have continued to fall. We are also very grateful to the employers who have contacted us in recent weeks with vacancies,” he said.

He added: “I have no doubt that we would not be able to manage unemployment as efficiently and constructively as we do without the commitment to providing expertise, training and support to jobseekers through the Back to Work scheme. It is extremely important that we continue to help our Islanders find sustainable employment and become financially independent when they are out of work.”

The Actively Seeking Work (ASW) report revealed that – of the 980 jobseekers – an overwhelming majority of 79% were British or Jersey people. 11% were Portuguese or Madeiran, 6% from the EU and 4% from other nationalities.

There were 140 more women looking for work than men, but there were more males registered as ASW than females in both the youngest (16-24) and oldest (55-64) age groups.

20% were previously employed in retail, motor repairs and sales, 19% in professional and domestic services and 16% were employed in banking, insurance, finance and business. The figures may underrepresent those working in the finance sector, however, as individuals working within the industry tend to enrol with private agencies when seeking work, rather than through the Social Security Department.

Latest registered #unemployment figures out today. See our #infographic or read the full report here: https://t.co/sNMXSIzsgY pic.twitter.com/MDFirAxcZL

— Jersey Stats Unit (@JsyStats) October 6, 2017