Job hunting students swell numbers

Unemployment benefit numbers have risen by more than 100 in Rotorua in the past four months.
Latest quarterly Work and Income benefit figures show between September and December 2009, total benefit numbers for the Bay of Plenty region rose by more than 300.
In Rotorua alone, there are 70 more people now on the unemployment benefit since September, one more on the single parent benefit, eight fewer receiving the sickness benefit and 35 more people now on the invalids' benefit.
The government says the figures are representative of people who are studying now signing up for assistance.
Rotorua MP Todd McClay said traditionally in December un-employment numbers rose as students began looking for work.
Businesses were also still trying to recover following the recession, which was reflected in benefit figures, Mr McClay said.
"This shows the recovery in the New Zealand economy is still patchy because of the recession," he said.
However, business confidence was slowly lifting and through tourism and forestry and the manufacturing industry, jobs would soon be on offer again, Mr McClay said. "I've been out talking to people in the business sector. Retail is a bit flat at the moment but in the manufacturing and industrial area, businesses are starting to employ again. Business confidence is high and the flow-on from that will be employment."
Meanwhile, Work and Income offers programmes to help prepare people for jobs.
"They work very closely with people so they are given every opportunity to look for work," Mr McClay said.
"The reason unemployment has increased is because of the structural imbalances in the economy ... we need to realise New Zealand has had to deal with a very serious recession, the worst in 60 years ... we now have to focus on how to assist people into sustainable jobs."
Bay of Plenty Regional Commissioner for Social Development, Mike Bryant said the figures for the unemployment benefit always rose through December as students looked for work.
Job vacancies were being listed with the service, Mr Bryant said.
"While we have come through a difficult economic time, the job market is picking up and we are beginning to see an increase in vacancies being listed with us. We are confident that we will see a big reduction in benefit numbers in the next six months," he said.
While more people signed up for the dole, 47 per cent of them found work through the Job Search Service, Mr Bryant said.
"We also encourage people to be flexible about their job choices and the types of jobs they apply for.
"Broadening their job search and continuing to be proactive will improve opportunities for success."
Meanwhile, Rotorua's Personnel Resources employment agency has seen an increase in both job vacancies and people seeking work in recent weeks.
Team leader Angelique Tizard said they had a number of top professional jobs on offer including in health and safety, human resources, personal assistant and account management.
As the New Year rolled in, so had people looking for new employment prospects, she said.
"We have a really good calibre of candidates coming through at the moment.
"They interview well and are presenting themselves well."
Employers wanting to recruit staff through Work and Income can phone the Employer Line on (free phone) 0800 778 008.