EMPLOYERS are supporting a new cash incentive scheme from Social Security aimed at getting the long-term unemployed back into work.
The department is offering a recruitment grant of up to £2,500 to encourage employers to hire people who have been out of work for six months, whether they are job seekers or on sickness benefit.
‘It’s probably a good idea,’ said the managing director of builders C. A. Duquemin, David Duquemin.
‘It will probably give employers an incentive to try some of these people. But employees need to be reliable and have a good work ethic if they are seeking long-term employment.’
Mr Duquemin said the cash might tip the scales but would not make a difference if it was a choice between someone who was fully qualified and someone who needed training.
CGi chairman Peter Budwin (pictured) considered it a good scheme.
‘If it gets people hired by companies and off the Social Security books it has to be a good thing,’ he said.
The cash incentives would help employers in the hiring process, he said, as a lot of time is spent registering staff with Social Security and Income Tax.
‘We will wait to see how successful it is,’ he said.
‘These kind of incentives show the States are being proactive and that has to be good.’
The maximum grant of £2,500 would be paid in instalments after four, 12 and 26 weeks of employment.
An employer taking on someone over 30 would receive £1,000, plus a £500 training grant after four weeks, and further £500 instalments at 12 and 26 weeks.
The maximum available for employing someone under 20 is £1,300 and for someone aged between 20 and 29 is £1,900.
Article posted on 12th November, 2009 - 2.29pm
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