15 June 2011

Jersey: Scheme to help graduates seeking employment is launched in conjunction with finance industry

Graduates seeking employment are invited to apply for an eight week scheme which will teach them key employment skills and offer work experience with a local finance company.

As part of the States of Jersey Fiscal Stimulus Package, the Advance Plus Employment Scheme was launched in September 2010 and the organisers have partnered with Jersey Finance, the finance industry’s promotional body, to help adults who have graduated from University to secure employment.

The Advance to Graduate Finance scheme is looking for 12 graduates to participate in the programme which will run from 4th July to 26 August 2011. Participants will learn personal development skills such as CV writing and interview skills along with an ‘Introduction to the Offshore Finance Industry’ at Highlands College. The scheme culminates in a four week placement with a local firm to give the graduates work experience. Entrants will go through a selection and interview process to secure a place on the scheme.

Rebecca Cook, Team Leader, Advance Plus, explained: ‘We are looking for 12 motivated and enthusiastic graduates, whether they have graduated this summer or in the past few years, who have not yet secured employment to join this voluntary scheme. We appreciate that it can be particularly hard for graduates to find employment when they return to the Island after University and this scheme will equip the graduates with a working knowledge of Jersey’s largest sector, the finance industry, and also teach them vital skills that employers look out for when recruiting.’

Geoff Cook, chief executive of Jersey Finance, commented: ‘The Advance to Graduate Finance Scheme offers graduates the opportunity to gain meaningful skills and work experience at a time when the employment market is recovering after the recession. The success of the scheme is reliant on finance firms offering placements and professional expertise and, with a number of placements still available, Jersey Finance members are encouraged to support the scheme. We anticipate that the programme will provide invaluable experience and help build graduates’ confidence when applying for long-term employment.’

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