Supportive local businesses will ensure the success of student job search says UCOL student association. Office co-ordinator Kristal Rimene said Wairarapa students have been paying a student job search levy as part of their fees without having access to the system. "The Palmerston North students have been using student job search, whichis paid for out of the student administration fees but because it isn't set up here, our students have basically been paying for something that they can't use." The 250 full and part-time students at UCOL will be surveyed next week, "to find out what per cent of students are already employed and what areas of work students want to have access to," she said. "I'm setting up a meeting with Trust House to find businesses who are interested in student employees and we will also be going around the local businesses, to find out what kind of interest they have and explain to them what it is about." Student job search works as a database where employers can list what kind of staff they require and "students can contact them using a phone we have here on campus, and can check out what jobs are available by going online using the campus computers," she said. "It's free for businesses to advertise through them and we have a really good student base who are very committed workers." UCOL has a good relationship with the Wairarapa regional advisory committee, "so local businesses can get together and see what courses we offer and advise our staff of the qualifications they require from the students to employ them in their field," she said. Student association executive member Fiona Flis said UCOL's smaller numbers means the association have better insight into what employment the student's are seeking. "A comment was made at the associations A.G.M meeting that it was great for Palmerston North to have such a good service but why doesn't Masterton?" After the student survey has been done, she said, "we will have a better idea of what people want and will be able to get stuck into setting up the student job search". Vice president Bob Mellor said he is completing a twelve-month automotive engineering course at UCOL, which includes work placements. "The work placements I do each Friday aren't paid but once I finish I'll be looking for a local apprenticeship, and by having the job search I'll have an idea of what work is available before I even finish my course."
