$1.6 million for Palmy students

$1.6 million for Palmy students

Local students using Student Job Search Manawatu have been placed into work that will earn them over 1.6 million since 1st of October 2005.

With the local Manawatu economy quite strong and many businesses facing skills shortages, the combined result is all good for the local Palmerston North students says Regional Manager, Barry Dowell.

The increase in earnings is well up on last year, with an increase of around 78% on the same time period last of $926,145 up to $1,661,575 and its great to see businesses utilising the wide range of knowledge and skills that students have.

“Certainly staff and skills shortages in the -Manawatu have meant that businesses are looking at tertiary students to provide cover”, said Mr Dowell.

More skilled work is being sought by employers with examples such as marketing students running focus groups, IT students working on programming, through to engineering students working in the mega-tronics field.

Local Mayor of Palmerston North, Heather Tanguay visited the SJS regional office today and congratulated SJS on the outstanding increase in revenue for Students.

“SJS -Manawatu is living the student city concept and students can be reassured in coming to the city to study that they will receive first class service from a caring SJS office” said Heather Tanguay.

While the increase in student’s earnings was pleasing, Barry Dowell was concerned that with the influx of local students returning home in the next week from other universities around the country that more jobs will be required. “ When NCEA finishes, Year 13’s who are going to University or Polytechnic next will be enrolling in large numbers too, placing further demands on jobs”, said Mr Dowell.

The ideal student job was full time for a month or more, though many have several part time jobs. Average hourly rates have also risen to just over $12.15, though many jobs through the FutureGrad programme were considerably higher than this, particularly in the IT arena.

Palmerston North is very much a student city and local businesses are seeing the benefits of utilising the very diverse and highly flexible workforce to help assist in possible skills shortages that some businesses are facing said Mr Dowell.

The non profit organisation, which is funded by student associations and government via Study Link, provides a free service to both students and employers alike.

ENDS

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