Unemployment has been rising for the last few months

The Employment and Social Security Department, which has seen numbers rise steadily over the past few months, says the situation is set to get worse.

The department says it is an important change in the island's economy.

Jersey has enjoyed almost full employment for many years.

Structural changes

As recently as two years ago some businesses were offering staff higher wages in order to keep them as other companies tried to tempt them away.

But the situation is changing and Employment President, Senator Paul Routier, says the island needs to be aware of the increasing number of people who cannot find a job.

Senator Routier wants to hear from people who have been unemployed for a long time to try to find a way of improving the situation.

He also said if people want to find a new job, they might have to change the types of employment they want.

He said: "There is a need in some circumstances to change one's aspirations and move to a different type of work because the selection of jobs is changing.

"I think it's a structural thing in the island and there is a need to encourage people to look at doing other things."