Can Community Jobs Fund help you?

Thursday 10 September 2015

Does your next project need a kick-start and a helping hand to get off the ground? If so the Back to Work team wants to hear from you.

They are reminding charities and organisations about the Community Jobs Fund (CJF) set up two years ago to help create community-based jobs for long-term unemployed jobseekers.

It helps match organisations with a suitable candidate, fund up to six months’ salary and helps cover the cost of things like training.

Since it was set up the Fund has helped 75 organisations including parishes, sports clubs and local charities and around 120 jobseekers taking on the roles of support workers, assistant caretakers, events coordinators and admin and retail assistants. Two thirds of them have gone on to secure permanent jobs.

Social Security Minister Susie Pinel said: “Tackling unemployment has long been a priority for the Department but this is not simply about reducing figures. Our approach must be sustainable and holistic. We need to ensure we are addressing the barriers to employment as well as recognising the challenges facing employers. Through the fund we have an opportunity to achieve both these goals as well as supporting projects which benefit many Islanders.

“There is no substitute for experience and when that is coupled with positive outcomes for the wider community there is a great deal to be proud of. We are already working with a range of organisations and employers but I’d urge anyone who believes the Community Jobs Fund could assist their organisation to get in touch.”

If you want to find out more about the Community Jobs Fund call 447358 or email cjf@gov.je or head to the Charity Awareness Day at the Radisson Blu Hotel today from 12.30pm to 2.30pm to meet the Back to Work team.