Economic Development Minister Alan Maclean is urging firms to get involved
BUSINESSES are being urged to take on scores of local university students seeking work this summer.
About 145 students have applied for places on the Jersey graduate internship programme run by the Economic Development department.
So far places have only been found for 60 and a further seven placements are pending confirmation. But that still leaves a lot of students looking for a paid work this summer.
A grant is available from Jersey Enterprise to eligible businesses. Interns must be paid at least the minimum wage of £6.20 per hour and receive valuable work experience on a full-time basis.
Article posted on 27th July, 2010 - 3.00pm
57 Article Comments
And herein lies the problem…
“Interns must be paid at least the minimum wage of £6.20 per hour and receive valuable work experience on a full-time basis.”
Not many companies can afford this right now. Redundancies have been made, and there simply is not the work to be done.
Maybe the States should stipulate that the hourly rate can be lower than minimum wage and be for part-time as well as full-time hours.
Any experience is better than no experience, after all.
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young localy born , here 365 days a year also require work.
or are they to become the lost generation.
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Sadly this reflects the current state of the local economy which can be best described as extremely shaky at present borne out by the recent publication of unemployment figures.Companies are struggling and Senator Macleans appeal is likley to fall on deaf ears after a terrible couple of weeks where waste of financial resource bt the States has been exposed time and time again.Sadly government mismanagement is coming back to bite us!!
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Whilst I agree students should work I’d be interested to know how many have actually tried to find work directly themselves. I’ll bet any money a load of them are waiting for something to be handed to them on a plate.
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We all moan about Retail (costs of products, Finance (big brother) and Tourism (value) but these industries provide vital support to our teenagers in the form of work experience and living expenses for university.
These values are often not taken into account when valuing an industry.
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This is crazy!
We have emailed EDD back at the beginning of June. Then we got this email saying “If more CV’s come in that match you requirements I will forward them on”. Dated 1st July
Then “Sorry that we have not had any further applicants. If more CV’s come in that match you requirements I will forward them on. Dated 9th July.
It’s a very easy job, surley someone who is at Uni can do this job of Project Manager
Fashion Show Events and Project Manager
The Samantha Abbott Trust was set up by her brother to raise awareness of postnatal depression. Samantha had a baby boy then not long after she took her own life suffering from postnatal depression, when she went to the top floor of a car park
The charity is now planning the Jersey Fashion Show and has had amazing support from celebrities around the world donating their clothes, such as Lily Allen, Sugababes, David Beckham, Victoria Beckham, five Olympians and lots more with designers such as Versace lending clothes for the Jersey Fashion Show.
The charity event even has a twist to the drinks and food with the Chairman of the UK bartenders Guild creating the recipe for the ‘Lily Allen’ cocktail, Gino D’Acampo, tapas recipes. Head chefs from the Grand Hotel, Boathouse, Bass and Lobster creating sauces
Tasks include
1. Data base of all the designers who are lending their clothes
2. A system to identify each designer and their clothes. These clothes cost £10,000’s and need to be looked after. You need to arrange with the shipping company when they arrive when they are shipped back and also at the show back stage a plan of who is wearing which item etc.
3. You need to help with a media plan
4. You will need to look after various teams from back stage to logistics, design, selling of tickets
5. You will need to help plan the launch party, the Fashion Show and a possible after party.
6. You will need to contact companies for sponsorship.
7. You need to create a ‘Thank you’ letter to all sponsors, volunteers, designer etc. Basically an after the event plan.
You will see from http://www.jerseyfashionshow.com a lot has been done already. The website has just gone live and has a system for online tickets, it has facebook and twitter embedded in the homepage.
Our launch party has a fantastic menu, with two Victorian style baths donated from Pentagon to use as GIANT ICE BUCKETS !
Please email jerseyfashionshow@hotmail.co.uk with your CV and why you think you are the person to help with this amazing charity event. Also, need are volunteer models. Who wants to model Lily Allen and Victoria Beckham’s dresses?
Thank you very much
Samantha Abbott Trust (Reg NPO 0550)
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Wait till they try to get full time jobs. A lot will find their degrees are worthless.
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If the objective is for the students to gain valuable work experience then perhaps they could be paid the minimum hourly “trainee” rate of £4.65 per hour?
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But certain companies in the building industry employ almost exclusively recently arrived immigrants – why are they allowed to do this with locals unemployed?
The same is true of the farmers.
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Perhaps, just as a suggestion, the economic minister should try re-looking at Jersey’s immigration policy/the 5 year rule and more so the sheer numbers of people we currently have working in the Island from places like Eastern Europe who have not been here for 5 years. Then he may realise why our own home grown people cannot even find basic part time work?
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Words fail me, reading about the celebrity and brand names obsessed ‘Samantha Abbot Trust’.
How on earth does this ‘raise awareness of postnatal depression’?
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The Polish people work hard and its a struggle for us to live here already, I know many single mothers who have to rely on hand outs of food aid from charitys. Please do not blame us for unemployment, we deserve a job just as much as local.
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Agreed no 8. In the UK many graduate are working for nothing to gain work experience.
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How come it takes our economic minister so long to make this statement now? Where has he been? Its coming up to August.
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Agnieszka
It is better for any economy to have mainly people who were raised in that economy work in that economy. This is because they are more likely to spend their money within the economy they were raised and not send it to another economy. It is not any form of discrimination it is just a fact. Yes everyone willing to work deserves a job, the best person should get the job no matter where they hail from or any other concern, the shareholders of company is who they have to act on behalf of not, the macro economy.
However i would not risk my life as it is and move to Australia because I prefer the nice weather and then expect a ‘handout’ from the state, because in my mind I would be a visitor, just as I am in Jersey, if i could not find work here I would return to Manchester as I am a guest not assume that Jersey will support me.
This train of thought seems to be lost on most ‘visitors’ to this small island and I would say that is what drives people to say and act in ways which sound discriminatory.
S
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I think our local people should be catered for above ANY outsider who has been here for less than 5 years as a priority. I know a lot of young people who resent Eastern Europeans for taking jobs but thats our Government’s fault for ignoring the problem and creating potential social problems.
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People have hit the nail on the head. Thats why young people cannot find work, like it or lump it the polish have got it all.
My daughter used to have a regular job during the holidays doing bar work but she cannot even get that anymore.
Now lets wait for the people who cry ‘racist’.
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@ #9 overpopulated.
Non-locals are employed in construction and farming because local people will not take these jobs. Foreign nationals have always worked in farming – French, Portuguese, Polish – it will never change, because if they don’t do it, no body will.
And another thing – the five year rule – what utter tosh!
All this does is feed complacency in the local market. People job hop from pillar to post, never bothering to take exams and better themselves – they don’t have to, because there is no incentive. This leaves industries employing under-qualified, under experienced individuals. Let’s not forget, Finance – for example – is not here to make life better for Jersey folk, it is here for its own interests and can quite happily move elsewhere.
If Jersey to be the paragon off-shore centre, then locals must “shape up,or ship out”.
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@9. Overpopulated
You’ve made me smile! Can you really see local university students picking carrots or potatoes – or lugging concrete around a site?
I’m sure there are some…but not many!
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Locals did not work in farming in the past because there were many other jobs – there are not now. But we have welfare….
Doubtless our gutless government lets them claim welfare because they don’t want to work hard – and we tax payers pay the price.
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Andy 18
What a load of tosh!
Please provide me some form of evidence to prove that locals do not like working in these jobs.
These days there is plenty of discrimination going on in the workplace…..many large companies (i.e. Play.Com) have immigrants in recruiter roles and they only recruit their own compatriots!
Get your facts rights before spouting the usual, boring and unfounded comments!
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Sad fact is that the immigrants are harder working and more reliable.
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@21 BS Deluxe
Andy is quite correct. I work for a firm that takes local university students and admittedly they are more focused this year as the job market is harder so the calibre is better.
They don’t want to work weekends, they prefer a three day week, and want to make sure they don’t have to work during Grass Roots and Jersey Live.
They look shattered after a fortnight!
There isn’t one who would have the stamina to work in agriculture or building. I’m sure there are a few but they would cerainly be in the minority.
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Jeff 17.
Racist!
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24,
no its not!
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If the aim is to give young people ‘work experience’ then why should it be paid? Especially when finances are so tight. Most internships around the world are unpaid, whether that be with multi-national corporations or non-profit organisations, including such places as the European Commission. An internship is usually short term to give a flavour of a particular sector or role. The individual does it to gain further insight and knowledge in anticipation of a future career. If a student wants to get paid let them find a job for the summer, not a state and private sector funded jolly.
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I think number 15 has got it right.
The fact of the matter is, there isnt any bar/cafe jobs now for students. I remember when i was a student you could pretty much walk into any cafe or shop and have a job within the week.
But rather then just blame the states or the immigrants, Id rather think about the classic saying – Survival of the fittest!
If someone can come over from another country learn our language and customs, probably working twice as many hours as we do. and still beat you at getting a job…well maybe its you that needs to be on the boat in the morning.
I know im sick and tired of paying taxes so that every moring when neighbor complains my music is on when im getting ready for work and she is still in bed cuz she doesnt work
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Polish people are working in finance now as trainees, just to add some fire to this debate. Its a shame that employers are not even putting young local people first these days. Economic development should do more about this silent problem in Jersey because its not the first time its been mentioned. Some young people are getting depressed and bitter with it all and thats just wrong, it is their Island and their future.
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@21 BS Deluxe
I am more than happy to. Working in the job that I do, I get to see this kind of stuff first hand – it’s actually very scary to see how many local people will outrightly avoid physical labour jobs associated with manufactoring and agriculture.
And this happens all the world over, it’s not just a local problem. And there’s nothing you can do about apart from raising hourly rates of pay, but then that obvioussy has knock-on effects on the price of good we buy in the supermarkets.
Let’s get this matter cleared up – Companies are under no obligation to operate in Jersey – FACT! They need to recruit people who can and will do the job – in my extensive experience, and it is extensive, most locals will not work in low-end jobs. If they don’t do this, then they – companies – will go elsewhere.
I have offered jobs to local people in the past “on a silver platter” – their reponse “oooh, I don’t know, let me think about it!” 48 hours they call back and say yes, by which time it’s too late and the job has gone. And this was a good job with a good rate of pay, and benefits as well.
It is a balancing act of supporting local life and supporting business – and, unfortunately, something has to give to keep US ALL in the manner to which we have become accustomed.
I am more than happy for the JEP to share my private e-mail address with you and I will tell you more about why all this is the case.
In an ideal world, local jobs will go to local people – but the realities are a distant cry from this.
Back on subject though; why on Earth the EDD are stipulating minimum wage and full-time hours is beyond me. Experience, not pay is what matters, and if Advance to Work can achieve this, then I don’t know why no one else can.
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@17 Jeff
Ahh, the old “racist” word. I am sorry to break it to you dear chap, but indigenous British are the same race as the Polish i.e. Caucasian.
Nice try though.
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Everyone get’s their first job on their own. Why shoudl students expect to be given a job. Any local students must compete with everyone else eligib le to work here, and if you can’t, then go work in the UK. If you want experience, then WORK FOR NOTHING! Typical Students, just a bunch a lazy want-it-alls.
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Here, here @ Real Trughtseeker #31! Very well said.
More people could do with going to work in the UK and getting a reality check. It may buck some people’s ideas up!
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Helen Back 25.
Yes, it is!
Furthermore, it’s an excuse all too many parents use when their offsprings can’t find work. Mummy and daddy simply don’t want to admit that their little loves are not up to scratch (too slow, no personality, unattractive, etc.). Nowadays, employers have the pick of the crop, it’s called competition….it’s as easy as that!
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Thanks Andy
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#31 I don’t know why they shouldn’t get it on their own, makes no sense.
#33 It might be xenophobic but it isn’t racist unless the comment is specifically about a race (’Polish’ is not a race).
#21 So true, and some will happily admit it too, shame it would be illegal to catch it on digital media! Others just make life that little bit less ‘nice’ for those of a different nationality to themselves. Would be good if more immigrants completed the bullying survey, especially if they were explicit about who (or what nationality) is bullying them.
Locals and immigrants are the same, some are fantastic and some are lazy. Some immigrants do want everything handed to them on a plate, that trait isn’t related to nationality.
Still it must be far easier to motivate yourself when you know that some years working on a low-wage in Jersey will allow you to buy a lovely house back home. This isn’t the case for Jersey (or even UK) people, and so they will tend to hold out for a job where the pay will make some decent accommodation (rental or bought) possible! Can you blame them really? And it must be easier to work long hours when you are not at home and so do not have all your friends and family to keep up with. Again this isn’t the case for Jersey people! And you might think people should work so many hours that they simply don’t see family and friends but this is completely impractical and will only lead to poor health and a decline in the standard of the work, nevermind that in future years when they need people to help them maintain a healthy work/life balance there won’t be anyone to call on. Friends and family are more accepting of not seeing you when you are hundreds of miles away! I know because I am hundreds of miles away.
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no 30. you should buy a modern dictionary!
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Simon @6 – Since you raise it on a public forum, could you tell us how much funds raised, if anything, from your previous public charity events have gone to any cause “raising awareness of post-natal depression”?
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Leah Holmes 35.
I think you will find that the word ‘race’ is used not only in connection with physical anthropology but also with regard people of the same lineage or from the same geographical area, for example: the English race (the indigenous English people).
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I’m a student and all i did for the first two weeks when i was back for the summer wasnd set up interviews with recruitment agencies aprint out CVs with a cover letter and hand them out to as many offices as i could, including doctors surgeries, dentists, everywhere!
And I’ve managed to get summer work!
If you ask me, if these students haven’t been able to find work they are either:
1)Too lazy to go out there themselves and do the grafting, they would rather leave it upto someone else to find work for them.
2)Aiming too high
2)Have a shocking CV becos they have never bothered to work part time or volunteer for anything!
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#39 ‘I’m a student…(et seq)’
Enough said!
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Er hello? adults need work????????? students are far too busy doing drugs ,alcohol and facebook
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#40 C Le Veridic
I had a good snigger at your post.
I was just discussing with someone today about the recent news items on the cost to the taxpayer of states / fee paying schools. My point, and I think that Caz’s post supports it well, was that I wouldn’t mind some of my taxes contributing to either type of education if only teenagers could spell, write and speak properly at the end of it all.
The result of this modern “education” mixed with “texting language” used in everyday life really make me cringe and fear for the future of the english language.
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#38 Only due to constant misuse. The word ‘gay’ had its meaning changed due to constant misuse, these things happen, but in this case it is not beneficial. Since not all Poles are of the same race it is far simpler to speak of race and nationality as two separate issues. When someone from a certain race of Poles requires bone marrow transplant worldwide appeals go out to the minority that belong to that one race because it is already known that the majority of Poles will not be a match. A friend of mine belongs to that race and was tested when a famous musician (a hero of his) required a bone marrow transplant. Of course the main reason that using the geographical explanation isn’t helpful is because if you go far enough back in our ancestry we will all come from the same place anyway, but our evolution and movement around the world still leave us with marked anthropological differences that are of medical importance.
Also, prior to modern modes of travel geographical regions could be reflected in our physical makeup, so there was no need to make a geographical distinction.
I can’t speak about indigenous English people, I don’t much about England prior to the Roman invasion. I do, however, have to point out to Flymo (#30) that there is no such thing as an ‘indigenous Brit’ since the separate countries of Britain were inhabited before the Roman invaders created ‘Britain’. From genetic testing I know that I am an indigenous Scot, but a recent genetic study showed that around 75% of the current inhabitants of Britain stem from the Roman invasion and are one race. The majority of the rest are immigrants, still a small percentage are actually indigenous (pre the Roman invasion) to Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and presumably some parts of England.
Funnily enough most British people assume that all Brits are the same race, but indigenous Scots are a different race (with marked anthropological differences) to those whose ancestry lies in the Roman invasion that created ‘Britain’. As are those that are indigenous to Ireland, Wales and I would guess Cornwall (what with it being a Celtic region also). Anyone whose anscestry lies in lowland Scotland, however, stems from the Roman invasion and shares their race with the majority of Britain.
#42 Diane, I’m not a fan of the English language, but I will admit that I would prefer it was used correctly.
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#43 “Pols”! Too much wine I think
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Leah 43
You can go on for as long as you like Leah, but you are wrong, it has nothing to do with misuse…but nice try!
The following was taken from Dictionary.com
Race Noun
1. a group of persons related by common descent or heredity.
2. a population so related.
3. Anthropology .
a. any of the traditional divisions of humankind, the commonest being the Caucasian, Mongoloid, and Negro, characterized by supposedly distinctive and universal physical characteristics: no longer in technical use.
b. an arbitrary classification of modern humans, sometimes, esp. formerly, based on any or a combination of various physical characteristics, as skin color, facial form, or eye shape, and now frequently based on such genetic markers as blood groups.
c. a human population partially isolated reproductively from other populations, whose members share a greater degree of physical and genetic similarity with one another than with other humans.
4. a group of tribes or peoples forming an ethnic stock: the Slavic race.
5. any people united by common history, language, cultural traits, etc.: the Dutch race.
P.S. I suggest you get a new Dictionary.
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Visitors & immigrants work incredibly hard on this little rock (they work on Mondays and Fridays because they are not suffering from drink induced illnesses!) and get no thanks for it. Instead they are frequently blamed for its problems (especially the one about jobs being taken away from locals) and are made to feel like second class citizens.
It seems that Jersey’s residents don’t realise that many Polish workers here are overqualified for the jobs they are currently doing. They deserve to get top jobs if they have the qualifications and right work ethic.
I feel that many “middle class” students will not settle for summer jobs in agriculture, construction or tourism because so many of them are aiming to be lawyers, doctors and accountants. Sadly, these seem to be the only jobs that are worthy of any respect here in Jersey.
Finally, competition can only be a good thing. Too often here, it’s who you know, what your surname is and how much your daddy earns that matter most! It’s time Jersey woke up!
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Leah, There is also a subdivision of celts. Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Man were predominantly Goidelic Celts (the Gaelic speakers) while Wales, Cornwall and Brittany were Brythonic Celts with an entirely different language.
Both types however appear to have originated from the Iberian peninsular. The lowland Scots may well have developed as a result of the Roman invasion but the Picts of the highlands are thought to have originated in Scandinavia. I am genuinely interest in what is regarded as an ‘indigenous’ Scot. Gaelic/Scot, Roman/Scot or Pict/Scot?
You may as well throw into the English mix the Angles, Saxons and Vikings from northern Europe.
Essentially Britain and Ireland were uninhabitable during the last glacial maximum and so every Tom, Dick and Harry originated from somewhere other than Britain.
Don’t get me started on Africa!!!
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@ 39 – Surprised you managed with some of the spelling evident in your post..
Frankly it is remarkably easy to find work in Jersey as a student or graduate. Nepotism is one way (or simply having a french sounding name) and the other is putting the graft in and being able to evidence why you’d be a suitable candidate.
Oh and by virtue of comparison to the UK, it is still much much easier to land a job back home. For a little test I submitted the same application for a graduate job to a London office and Jersey office with a top 10 graduate employer.
For the Jersey process I had interviews, for the London process psychometric testing, two interviews and an assessment centre.
Those back in Jerri have it easier than on the mainland.
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#47 I was trying not to be too specific since people usually have a hard time realising that Celts within Britain have a different culture to the non-Celts, never mind then separating the Celts themselves
My specific ancestry is Pict and Gael, the two merged anyway, and obviously the Gaels are believed to have come from Norway, indeed my home was once ruled by Norway. Since there’s little information surrounding who was in Scotland prior to the Picts that as far back as we can go and still say ‘indigenous Scots’.
#45 Barb, glad you agree, as you’ve pointed out yourself it depends on the age of the dictionary, and I clearly said the use of the word has changed over time. You do realise that dictionaries actually change to reflect common usage yes? As the use has changed so has the dictionary.
That’s all I have to say on the matter because I never have and never will have any time for people who play the race card.
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And to add a final note (to mums and dads):
If your kids are “looking” for work – please don’t telephone or email on their behalf.
It creates a terrible first impression!
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#46 Disagree with most of it, especially the stereotyping of locals as drunks. Not even sure I’ve ever heard a Jersey accent on any drunk I’ve walked past, lots of other European accents though (inc. some from the UK).
If you are aiming to be a lawyer, doctor or accountant then you will, if you have any sense, try and sort out summer work that relates to your future career. In saying that there are plenty of Jersey students currently working in cafes that I go to at lunchtime.
“it’s who you know, what your surname is and how much your daddy earns” The good old boys’ club exists everywhere, it does stand out more on a small island but it might just be that it stands out more, not that it is actually worse than anywhere else. All countries will have these issues.
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Leah Holmes 49.
Hahahaa! Hilarious! You’re right even when you are WRONG!
The World’s dictionaries, old and new, will not change to suit your ‘I-won’t-step-down-not-even-under-torture’ attitude…and that’s all I have to say on the matter! Hahahahaha…
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@ Barb Dwyer
That’s pretty arrogant. Whether or not you’re correct, these boards are primarily for opinions, and we do try to remain civil and not go “hahahha hilarious you are WRONG hahaha” like a spolit 8-year-old.
Whilst Leah is more than capable of defending herself, I would just like to point out that she regularly makes intelligent contributions to these threads, some of which I agree with and some I do not, but always thought-provoking and intelligent, and with the courage to post under what I assume is a real name.
As of yet, all I have seen from the anonymous “Barb Dwyer” are inflammatory posts.
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Lets stop this unfetted imigration, people arriving without jobs or accomodation, then taking young people’s jobs ( and others ).
As usaul our goverment think nothing through……..Terry wants the population up to 100,000, ……….50,000 immigrants and how many locals.
I know My kevin Keen has the answer, reduce the working wage to £1 per hour and lets all engage in a race to the bottom.
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Tobias 53.
First of all, get the facts straight.
Leah Holmes wrongly corrected my use of the word racist (see posts 35) which I used, as one does nowadays, with its modern meaning…seeing as I, and the majority of people tend not to speak 14th-century Middle English.
When I pointed out (in the kindest of ways – see post 38) that my usage was correct, she continued to insist that I was wrong and put forth an endless history lesson regarding Celts, Picts, Romans, Ethelred the Unready, King Cnut and all their offsprings, relatives and friends…instead of simply saying: “Whoops, my mistake, sorry for correcting you!”
So, rather than argue my point, I cut and pasted the meaning from Dictionary.com which, would have been enough for anyone else, but no, she continued to insist. Now, if I find that comical, there’s not much you or I can do about it.
By the way, as I don’t rely on your opinion to define myself, I shall not even attempt to try to change it.
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Lordy and they call me pedantic!
OK Barb, 14th Century English….Dictionary.com….ok well to add my tuppence worth I think you’re both correct, technically we are all the same RACE but the word RACE is more commonly used to describe people of separate ethnic origins. I couldn’t really care less about it to be honest.
The point I was making is that it’s rather rude / childish / arrogant to go “hahaha I am right and you are wrong hahaha” etc as per your post 52
The thing with these forums is that we do tend do disagree with each other quite often. However, it’s not really very mature to simply insult and laugh at those with whom you disagree. In the immortal words of Robert Nesta Marley, “while you point the finger, someone else is judging you”
There, that’s a good start to the afternoon, getting to quote Bob Marley at someone
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Tobias 56.
Tobias, I wasn’t hahahaing at the fact she was wrong, I was hahahaing at her ‘I-won’t-step-down-not-even-under-torture’ attitude, combined with her ‘nose-in-the-air-door-slam-and-I’m-never-coming-back’ closing sentence:
“And that’s all I have to say on the matter!”…which I found hilarious, so added to my post in her honour.
I’m sorry, but I can’t help it if such things amuse me. And, you are free to judge me as you like, just please don’t expect me to bothered by your judgement…That’s a Barb Dwyer quote!
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