St Helena’s Public Service is entering a new era of recruitment for local jobs as the St Helena government is addressing a shrinking labour workforce and a “skills shortage” that continues to threaten essential island services.
In a statement released earlier this week, it is confirmed that the island’s changing demographics, specifically a declining and ageing population, has made it impossible to fill many critical job roles from the local labour market alone.
While the shortage was first felt in “front-line” roles like nursing, teaching, and social care, the challenge has now spread across the entire sector.
To keep the island running, the Government is adopting a two-pronged strategy: welcoming workers from new international markets and aggressively encouraging the Saint diaspora to return home.
In a significant shift, the St Helena Government is expanding its search for workers to “alternative and affordable” labour markets outside of St Helena.
This move follows a successful pilot program in 2025, which saw a small group of carers arrive from the Philippines. Officials say these international workers are intended to “complement” the local workforce, providing the capacity needed to maintain service standards in sectors where there simply aren’t enough locals to do the job.
The “Saints Return” Initiative
Despite the look toward international markets, the Government insists that St Helenians living overseas remain a top priority. New efforts are being made to ensure Saints abroad have the same opportunities as those on the island.
“Saints abroad bring valuable knowledge, cultural connection, and commitment to our workforce,” the statement noted. To make this a reality, the Public Service will expand its advertising reach to better connect with the diaspora and provide relocation support for those successful in their applications.
It’s been recognised that moving to the island is a “significant and costly decision,” the Government has announced a set of “enhancements” to attract the right talent. For certain roles, successful candidates can expect support in addition to their local salary, including:
- Travel and relocation costs
- Pension contributions
- Rental assistance (for lower-grade roles where the individual does not own a home)
The St Helena government has emphasised that this is about the long-term survival of the community. “It is clear that we have to take action to retain and attract Saints in the Public Service, while also responsibly exploring alternative and affordable labour markets where necessary, Assurance has been given that current staff have not been forgotten. The Government remains committed to “Reward and Recognition” policies and career progression frameworks to keep existing local talent from leaving. The goal is to stabilise the population, protect healthcare, and reform education to ensure St Helena remains a sustainable home for future generations.