Recruiting staff in Jersey is getting more difficult as the number of islanders actively seeking work has dropped significantly over the past year.
The latest figures for Q1 2018 show the total number of people registered as actively seeking work (ASW) was 110 lower than the end of the previous quarter, and 310 lower than at the end of the corresponding quarter in 2017 (Q1 2017).
This follows a pattern of declining numbers of unemployed people in Jersey with the number of people registered as out of work dropping significantly over the past five years according to States of Jersey figures.
Just 910 people are currently registered as ASW in Jersey (non-seasonally adjusted figures).
Shelley Kendrick, Managing Director of Jersey Recruitment Agency, Kendrick Rose, said: “The latest figures echo a trend we are seeing in recruitment where there are fewer candidates available for jobs advertised. The problem is worse for jobs which require specific skills, such as with many roles in Finance.
“The problem is particularly marked in Finance because this is an area of the economy that is seeing enhanced growth. However, when one sector of the economy grows, it draws talent from other sectors, leaving areas that can’t offer enhanced salaries and benefits struggling for talent too.
“The number of people actively seeking work in Jersey has been dropping steadily over the past five years showing the strength of the jobs market. Clearly there are many areas where there is a specific skills shortage, and while retraining and upskilling may help to a certain degree, it will never fully address the gap between the jobs available and some of the candidates looking for work.”
A survey by the Jersey Chamber of Commerce recently found 70% of Jersey Chamber members are recruiting, and while most roles are filled within a couple of months, 45% of firms take three to 12 months to hire new staff, and 10% take over a year. 84% cite the lack of available candidates as the main issue.
Shelley said: “Recruitment is one of the biggest issues for businesses in Jersey. Many firms are struggling to find the right staff to fill available roles. This is both due to a general lack of available
candidates and a shortage of candidates with specific skills. As recruitment specialists, we are well placed to address the issues by helping firms get their roles in front of good candidates at an earlier stage in the process. However, it’s a tough market and in the short term, lack of good candidates is likely to remain an issue.”
