Earnings hit $40m but more jobs needed urgently

12 January 2006

Earnings hit $40m but more jobs needed urgently

Students have earned $40 million through Student Job Search since October 2005 but a further 10,000 jobs are desperately needed nationwide to meet the continuing record demand for work.

“We need these jobs before the university year begins as students still need to save as much as they can. While we’re thrilled with the response from employers nationwide so far, we expect tertiary study enrolments to continue growing which means demand isn’t going to let up for some time,” says SJS Chief Executive Dean Carroll.

SJS has placed over 20,000 students in work nationwide this summer and the talents of students are being rewarded with a record number of good quality, well-paying jobs.

“Almost all SJS branches, including the temporary summer offices, are experiencing a bumper season with record earnings, particularly from skilled and semi-skilled work,” Mr Carroll says. “Students across the board are earning higher rates of pay as well. This is great news as summer employment is essential to help students pay fees and ease the burden of borrowing.”

The average rate of pay for students has increased 5 percent. from $11.80 to $12.40 per hour.

Employers are encouraged to contact their local branch of SJS to lodge vacancies between now and March 1, 2006.

- SJS is a non-profit organisation which is funded by student associations and the Ministry of Social Development. It provides a free referral service to students and employers. Between October 2004 and February 2005, students earned over $53 million from work referred through Student Job Search.

ENDS

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