The closure of a Student Job Search branch office in Dunedin appears to have had little effect on the ability of the organisation to place students in paid work, after employment figures for November were released by the Otago University Students' Association yesterday.
Student Job Search closed its University of Otago branch in September as part of an operational move to focus its job placement services online.
OUSA welfare officer Shonelle Eastwood said the move to an online service had been a positive one and the November figures highlighted how the job placement scheme continued to benefit Otago students.
The Student Job Search figures showed paid work was found for about 720 Otago University students last month, Ms Eastwood said.
Otago students earned an average of about $2000 each, totalling almost $1.4 million dollars, she said.
Student associations around New Zealand contribute funds to SJS and also are responsible for the governance of the employment placement organisation.
"So far, Otago students have earned almost $6 million during 2011 from SJS jobs," Ms Eastwood said
OUSA supported student services, such as Student Job Search, and the November figures were "exactly what we want to see from our services", she said.
Student Job Search gives students the ability to gain experience in the workforce and helps out everyday New Zealanders both at home and in businesses, Ms Eastwood said.
Student Job Search
Otago November figures.
• 720 students employed in paid work.
• $2000 average, earned per student.
• $1.4 million the approximate total paid to University of Otago students.
