Following the success of the Antigua and Barbuda hospitality recruitment scheme last year, Jersey’s hospitality industry is again recruiting experienced staff from Antigua and Barbuda to work in Jersey during the summer peak season.
Under the hospitality partnership scheme between the Governments of Jersey and Antuigua and Barbuda, hospitality professionals will be coming to Jersey from April to September.
From today (Thursday 19 January) until 17 February, Jersey’s employers can register for the scheme and upload vacancies to the portal. Antiguan authorities will screen their candidates, and recruitment is expected to be completed by 10 March.
Jersey’s Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture, Deputy Kirsten Morel said “I would like to thank both the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and our other partners, the Jersey Hospitality Association and the Chamber of Commerce, the Antigua & Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association and the Antigua and Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute, for their continued enthusiastic support of the scheme. I also want to wish the successful candidates a warm welcome to Jersey and hope they have an enjoyable time in the Island whilst providing vital support to our hospitality sector.”
Last year, around 50 staff worked in Jersey, some of whom are returning. An even larger number of vacancies are expected to be filled through the scheme in 2023.
Ana Calvani, Co-CEO of the Jersey Hospitality Association said: “Last year’s scheme provided a short-term solution for businesses that urgently needed staff, but it went further than that. It helped to lay the foundations of a lasting relationship with the Caribbean, and I hope that this year it will not just help with the industry’s demand for excellent quality staff but also show that this is where you need to come to further your career in hospitality. “
Marcus Calvani, Co-CEO of JHA- “Our industry is benefiting from receiving trained professionals from Antigua and Barbuda, many of whom have gained management skills working in their industry. We think there are opportunities for people to go in the other direction too, inspiring islanders to learn their profession in the Caribbean and return to Jersey with the knowledge and experience that they have picked up from working overseas.”
The three-year Memorandum of Understanding was signed last year between the Governments of Jersey and Antigua and Barbuda.
The successful candidates will receive pre-departure training in Antigua by the 17 March, and the first staff are expected to arrive in Jersey at the start of April.
Government of Jersey News Release