Student summer jobs 'will be tough'

14:39 29th June 2009

Students hoping to get a job for the summer are going to find it difficult.

Aaron Porter from the National Union of Students told the BBC: "The summer jobs market is the worst we have seen."

Doing an IT course and gaining new skills during the summer months may be one way for students to avoid the same situation next year.

The BBC looked at Sussex University, near Brighton, which traditionally is a hot spot for employment.

Each year, many students are able to get jobs in local bars and restaurants for the peak tourist season.

However, this summer the university job hunters will have to compete with an additional 3,000 people who are now claiming job seekers allowance since last year and 2,400 school leavers.

Simon Royston, who runs Brighton's Red Flag recruitment agency, said: "If you really want a job this summer you need to get moving quickly."

Last week, a government scheme to subsidise training and work experience placements for students was launched at Aston University, reported the Birmingham Post.