Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2024, published 113rd ILC session (2025)

Paid Educational Leave Convention, 1974 (No. 140) - Jersey

Articles 2 to 5 of the Convention. Policy to promote the granting of paid educational leave. The Committee refers to its previous comments, noting that the Skills Strategy for 2017-22 and its 2018 Action Plan were developed with input from employers, industry, and training providers. The Committee then requested that the Government provide information on the application and impact of the new Strategy and Action Plan, as well as on the implementation of structures and policies related to paid educational leave in both public and private sectors. The Committee welcomes the information contained in the Government’s report, particularly the statistical data regarding the application of the Convention. It notes the Government’s indication that it aims to create a People and Skills Commission, which will monitor the population, availability of accommodation, skills gaps, and employment opportunities. Furthermore, Skills Jersey has created the first cross-Government of Jersey internship programme aimed at creating pathways into Government for local graduates, showcasing diverse career opportunities, and addressing recruitment and skills gaps while being mindful of population and immigration strategic initiatives. This measure directly relates to the Skills Strategy for 2017-22, which highlights the rising demand for higher-level skills across several key themes: attracting and retaining talent, facilitating transitions to employment, increasing investment in skills by businesses and individuals, creating a responsive skills and employment system, and developing world-class skills. Additionally, during 2020–21, Skills Jersey researched and developed two new apprenticeship routes for the Government of Jersey: a procurement and commissioning apprenticeship, and a cyber security apprenticeship. Both were added to the Government’s five existing apprenticeship offerings, with further apprenticeships being researched for launch in 2022–23. The Committee requests the Government to provide additional information on the People and Skills Commission and its role in developing and implementing a paid educational leave policy. It further requests the Government to continue to provide information on the impact of implemented measures, including statistical data disaggregated by sex and age, regarding paid educational leave in both public and private sectors, as well as any measures aimed at addressing skills gaps.

Article 7. Financial arrangements. The Committee previously requested that the Government provide information on the impact that new financial arrangements have had on granting paid educational leave and on the progress of the staff training pilot programme in promoting paid educational leave. The Committee takes note of the information provided regarding a Business Improvement Programme for 2019 and 2020. It notes, however, that specific details on the financial arrangements have not been provided. The Government indicates that the Business Improvement programme seeks to enhance knowledge and practical application of lean management techniques within businesses to increase productivity and efficiency, thereby delivering skills development alongside immediate operational improvements. While taking note of the above, the Committee requests the Government to provide more specific and updated information on how the arrangements for paid educational leave are financed and the amounts spent on paid educational leave each year.

Article 8. Discrimination. The Committee notes that no information has been provided in response to its previous comments under Article 8 of the Convention. It recalls that the objective of the equality policy is to ensure that workers have equal access to paid educational leave, regardless of race, colour, sex, religion, political opinion, national extraction or social origin. In this regard, the Committee once again draws the Government’s attention to the fact that the Discrimination (Jersey) Law does not include religion or political opinion among the prohibited grounds of discrimination. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged within the national policy to ensure that all workers, regardless of their religion or political opinion, have equal access to paid educational leave.

Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee welcomes the statistical information provided, including the new apprenticeship areas launched, the number of apprentices being mentored, apprentices graduating, and the apprentice retention rate. It notes in this regard that the retention rate reached 98 per cent in 2016, which decreased to 85 per cent in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the manner in which the Convention is applied in practice, including any extracts from reports, studies or inquiries, and available statistics.