JT provides Autism Jersey with a smart way to raise funds

JT is donating smartphone accessories to its charity partner Autism Jersey so they can raise funds to continue their vital work in the community.

The accessories, which are still widely used by islanders but no longer sold by JT, will now be available from the Autism Jersey shop which has become a popular hub in The Parade. Customers can buy them at a discount, with 100% of the proceeds going straight to the charity.

The shop also provides somewhere for people on the autism spectrum and their families to meet, find out information and receive support.

Pip Carpenter, Head of Commercial Market, said: “Autism Jersey’s vision is that everyone on the autism spectrum is given the opportunity and support to reach their full potential in an inclusive community, and we fully support that. As a responsible business that believes in the circular business model, we’re donating surplus accessories to our charity partner so they can benefit from selling them alongside their range of excellent products in the Autism Jersey shop.”

Lesley Harrison, Head of Charitable Services at Autism Jersey, added: “Working with our partners at JT is really helping us to boost the profile of our charity and is helping to increase the acceptance of autistic individuals in our community. Our fundraising activities are really important so we’re over the moon that JT has been able to donate surplus stock for us to sell, using the money raised to support our services. Not everyone has the latest smartphone so it’s great that we can sell accessories to people who already have a phone but need to replace the cover. The AJ Boutique on the Parade has a dual purpose of being shop, and a hub where people can get support and information about autism. It’s also somewhere autistic individuals can gain work experience.”



JT accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management for their future leaders programme

JT has become the first employer in Jersey to become accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management after having two of its Internal training programmes independently assessed against the Insititute’s robust framework, to become Institute Approved. The accreditation further marks the business’ commitment to the development of its people and future leaders.

The telecoms company has signed up 29 of its people onto the courses with the introductory sessions starting last week. There are 12 people from JT on the ‘Aspire’ course which gives them the opportunity to accelerate their careers through the development of a range of early management skills. A further 17 members were put forward for the ‘Accelerate’ programme, which enhances the capability of JT’s talented people managers to create and support high performing, highly engaged teams.

The Institute of Leadership and Management has an active community of over 50,000 leaders, managers and coaches. They create award winning learning resources and undertake practical research to support individuals and businesses, such as BT, the Royal British Legion and Siemens Energy in developing and inspiring great leadership everywhere.

Gaynor Lewis, Director of Strategic Partnerships, from the Institute of Leadership and Management, said: ‘It is so great to see businesses like JT investing in the development of its people and providing them with lifelong skills. We’re very proud to support the two programmes and we wish JT’s employees the best of luck as they develop and grow into the leaders of tomorrow.”

Nicola Reeves, JT Group HR Director, said: “Being accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management is a real boost for our training and development plans and provides a world-class leadership development experience for our people. JT is committed to supporting the ambitions and drive of our team members, investing in our people and helping them grow. We want to attract and nurture the very best island talent as we encourage a culture of continuous learning, building on our reputation as a great place to work and grow a career. These programmes will equip our people with world-class skills and qualifications that will help them to succeed and give them the recognition that they deserve as valued members of the JT team.”

JT is also a key advocate of Learning at Work Week. Commencing next week (16th May), leaders and specialists from around the business are hosting a series of virtual showcases with the aim of providing colleagues with new skills and knowledge sharing.



JT supports Alternative Transport Week

Alternative Transport Week, between 16th and 20th May, challenges islanders to leave their cars at home and either walk, cycle, run or take the bus to work. To help spread awareness of the many alternate transport options available and show its support for the initiative, JT is sponsoring four EVie cargo bikes during the week, which will be available for people to try for free.

The telecoms company is also encouraging their own people to use alternative travel for the week, as well as encouraging the whole community to share scenic routes on their commute by using the GPS function on their phone or other wearable technology to plot their route, creating a community social board for the best routes around the Island.

Gill Knights, JT Group General Counsel and Head of Sustainability at JT, said: “The future of transport must be sustainable, and here in Jersey there are plenty of opportunities to use alternative modes that don’t involve jumping in our cars. At JT we’ve made a commitment to become carbon neutral in scope 1 and 2 emissions, by 2030 and ensure our business and our products are a force for good. We already encourage and support our people to cycle,  by offering a subsidy towards the purchase or servicing of a bicyle and we’ve joined eVie’s pan-island Corporate Partner Programme which provides employees at JT with a discount on their e-bikes and e-vehicles hire. By sponsoring the eVie cargo bikes during this week we hope islanders will see just how much they can achieve, and carry without their car. There are sustainable solutions to climate warming caused by fossil fuel emissions, and together we can make a difference, no matter how small, starting with being mindful about how we travel and walking, running, cycling or getting the bus, wherever possible.”

Kate Huntington, the creator of Alternative Transport Week, added: “The idea behind Alternative Transport Week is to get people thinking about their choices when it comes to how they get about the island. I switched my car for a cargo bike three years ago and use it  for all the daily tasks I would have previously used my car for, and I love it. I’d like to thank JT and all the businesses taking part, they’ve all been incredibly supportive.”

Anyone wanting to take up the JT sponsored offer of a free cargo bike for a day during Alternative Transport Week should apply directly to Alternative Transport Week via its facebook page (enter link).  Successful applicants will then be provided with a code which they can use directly on the EVie website when booking their cargo bike.

More info on Alternative Transport Week can be found by visiting Alternative Transport Week on Facebook and alternativetransportweekjersey on Instagram.



Protecting critical information from a cyber pandemic

Having up to date and effective cybersecurity is more vital now than ever, and a Chamber of Commerce briefing next month will focus on what businesses can do to improve their cybersecurity in the face of growing threats.

JT is sponsoring a breakfast briefing on Thursday 19th May at the Royal Yacht, which will include security specialist insights, local cyber intelligence, and a discussion on just how to secure your business-critical information.

An expert panel of specialists from the world of cybersecurity will discuss how to prepare for and mitigate against potential cyber threats.

Katie Corbett, Interim Managing Director, JT Channel Islands, said: “Mandatory training on the systems, policies and processes that make a business function has always been seen as a core requirement for any company. But now, more than ever before, it has become vital that companies prioritise the training for all staff on cybersecurity threats. They must be kept up to date with the latest methods utilised by attackers and how to spot and prevent cyberattacks. As corporate governance and regulatory bodies place more and more emphasis on meeting security compliance metrics it is a significant challenge for any business to keep up. It’s often by learning from experts at events such as this that those responsible for setting the standards in their own organisation can feel adequately equipped to deal with such pressures.”

Jennifer Carnegie, President of the Jersey Chamber of Commerce, added: “Cyber criminals have no respect for national boundaries, so we are all vulnerable to attack.  It is vital that businesses, large and small, are aware of the threat, pass that awareness on to their people and make sure they are properly trained to deal with it. It only takes one slip up to cause a breach that puts a company and their customers’ data at risk.”

 

JT provides cyber threat advisory and managed cybersecurity services that help organisations identify, understand and control their security risks.