Summer jobs for students drop 44%

Summer job opportunities for tertiary students appear sparse, with job vacancies on offer through Student Job Search dropping 44% compared with the corresponding time last year.

The government-funded organisation has 65,000 students registered for work at its six offices, including one in Dunedin, but only 1179 jobs available on its website yesterday.

That was 500 fewer than the same date last year, SJS national marketing and communications manager Lorna McConnon, of Dunedin, said.

In the Otago region, 10,225 students were actively seeking summer work.

There were 132 jobs advertised yesterday, 104 fewer than last year.

Vacancies listed with SJS usually peaked in early November and gradually reduced as the summer passed, Miss McConnon said.

The economic downturn had left some business owners concerned about hiring new staff.

"There are nearly double the amount of students registered this year over last year, with relatively fewer employers listing jobs.

"Usually, there are more jobs than students. This year it is the other way round. It is really hard to say whether there will be enough jobs."

Like other employment-related agencies, SJS was concerned about the impact the flat economy was having on students' job prospects, she said.

"Any organisation would be pressed to say it wasn't concerned. It's how you react. You just do what you normally do and do it better. SJS is trying to manage the impact in our organisation and do the best we can for our clients."

SJS was putting more effort into ensuring employers were aware of its services and aware students were looking for work.

It recommended employers listed their job vacancies as soon as possible.

Dunedin employers and householders always supported students during summer, Miss McConnon said, providing 11% of job placements nationally.

- Mary Holmes