Jersey Financial Sector Vacancies On The Rise

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 Jersey Finance has noted the most recent findings of Jersey's Labour Market Survey, which reveals that around a quarter of total current private sector vacancies in Jersey are in the finance sector, despite more than 2,000 people reportedly still seeking work.
 While the results of the Survey suggest a gap between skills and vacancies, the finance industry remains Jersey's biggest employer, with the number of job opportunities available within the industry providing a positive indication of its strength and growth potential.
 Jersey Finance has a well-established Education Programme. With a remit to address current and future gaps in the skillset of Jersey's financial services workforce, Jersey Finance regularly assists with training support of the unemployed, helps coordinate industry input into a locally delivered degree in financial services and organises a comprehensive financial services education programme for schools.
 As well as working closely with Careers Jersey, Skills Jersey, Highlands College and the Jersey International Business School, Jersey Finance also receives a significant and growing amount of engagement from member firms. In March this year, Jersey Finance in partnership with Back to Work run and induction day for their Advanced Admin/Finance scheme where ten member firms took part in hosting organisational tours, running sector talks and mock interviews. In additions, a new report on the future of Jersey's finance industry will provide further direction on the long-term importance of education and training to support an evolving financial services sector. Skills Jersey are also planning to work in partnership with Jersey Finance to carry out a finance industry skills survey in 2013.
 Geoff Cook, CEO Jersey Finance said:
 "It's a challenging environment for all businesses in terms of job creation, so the fact that there are a number of vacancies currently available within the finance industry should be seen as an opportunity by keen job seekers who have the right attitude and who are prepared to learn new skills. In fact, the anecdotal evidence from firms is that in terms of jobs available, the landscape is very positive, with a broad range of junior and experienced roles on offer.
  The expertise and specialist skills of its workforce have long been the foundation of Jersey's finance industry and this will continue to be the case. With many firms having re-structured their operations as a result of the financial downturn, there is now a collaborative focus from government and the industry, particularly on school leavers and graduates, to ensure the next generation has the right skills for an evolving industry.
  The links the finance industry have developed with government bodies regarding initiatives such as Advance to work and Advance Plus as well as programmes developed with educational organisations are proving particularly invaluable in offering appropriate training and helping to up-skill the local workforce."