A summer jobs campaign aimed at encouraging students to find work alongside their studies launched today with more than 100 vacancies across the district.
Numbers of adverts are constantly changing as more opportunities are being added to the website by employers, but current posts across Bradford, Shipley, Keighley, Bingley and range from summer hospitality staff, retail assistants, order pickers to support workers.
The jobs are separate to full time employment vacancies in the area and most focus on shorter term contracts and part time shifts which can be juggled with higher education.
Shipley MP Philip Davies said: “Not only can people earn some money to help them with their studies but they also get used to the world of work and learn a different set of skills than the ones education teaches. Part time employment is a great way to gain experience and I know from my previous retail work that employers do take notice of it on a CV.
“It is important to offer young people opportunities to experience new roles, try out potential jobs but it does not detract from the drive to create more permanent jobs for people looking. The site also has a section for all jobs and there are more than 1,000 jobs being advertised across the district at the moment. There are many opportunities across the area for people looking for work but we always need to keep attracting new employers into the area.”
The dedicated search tool allows people to search for temporary work by area, type of business all through the Summer Jobs tool at Findajob.dwp.gov.uk
Numbers of young people taking on part time or summer jobs has fallen by more than 60 per cent since 1980 and in the past five years those with a part time job has fallen by a fifth.
According to employers, 66 per cent take on board if a candidate has done any part-time job along with their studies when recruiting.
Launching the campaign Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey said: “The decline of this work over past decades has seen a cultural shift with young people having an increased focus on education and training solely before moving into the world of work. Yet, as we enter this post-Brexit era, I want to make sure that they are as prepared as ever for the workplace and I want to restore the merits that summer jobs can bring.
“Working alongside studying has many benefits beyond providing additional cash in your pocket. I want young people to consider how part time and seasonal work can complement, not compete, with their education.
“I’m not suggesting a summer job is a dream job for life. But I firmly believe it is connected to having a successful future.
“It allows people to build on what are commonly known as ‘soft skills’ – but I see as essential skills. Helping people develop their customer service and problem solving, build their resilience and attitude to work, as well as time management and the ability to juggle different priorities. Seeing the demands that exist within a workplace and indeed to give you an understanding of what is expected from you in the workplace.”
Nationally more than 20,000 jobs are on the Summer Jobs site with opportunities in industries from manufacturing to IT to travel and finance.