Student employees are being praised as "good workers" after new figures have shown University of Otago students employed throught Student Job Search earned almost $7 million in paid work, last year.
Figures released by the Otago University Students Association (OUSA) showed Student Job Search placed about 4628 Otago students in paid work during 2011.
SJS is a student-governed organisation. In October last year, SJS closed its Dunedin office moving its recruitment and job-placement operations to an online-based service.
OUSA president Logan Edgar, who was recently appointed the SJS board member to represent New Zealand's student associations, said the organisation was still pushing to place more students in jobs.
OUSA was asking for employers to consider approaching SJS if they had any job vacancies or work for students.
"We'd like to see a few more jobs come in this January as there are still students looking for work," he said.
Otago students had fallen just $8000 short of earning $7 million dollars among themselves through SJS placements last year, he said.
The figure capped off a great year for SJS and OUSA members, who earned an average of about $1511 from their SJS jobs, Mr Edgar said.
"It's a great achievement and shows that students are good workers." About 3670 new students enrolled with SJS last year, which led to 4628 placements, he said.
SJS is scheduled to roll out a new online system in March to connect with students and employers, Mr Edgar said.
Until then, the existing website and SJS kiosks located at the OUSA offices are available to use.
Student Job Search
New enrolments:3670
Job placements:4628
Worker weeks:15,261
Total earnings:$6,992,091
Average earnings:$1511
