A student Jobshop with a difference has been helping students get that elusive job.

Since Preston College launched its Jobshop last November more than 200 students have registered and 130 local businesses.

The Jobshop has three levels of service. Firstly, it allows businesses to advertise their vacancies to students. Secondly, there are opportunities for temporary staff in many disciplines and lastly, permanent introductions for businesses just as any other high street agency.

Full training is now given to full-time students within their tutorials ranging from topics including interviewing skills, CV writing and completing application forms to 'knowing your rights when at work' through lively discussions, quizzes and information sheets.

Jobshop Manager, Angela Callagher said, "There are immense benefits for students in using the Jobshop facility rather than independently seeking work. Firstly we only take on employers who are student friendly, for example, vacancies are only accepted if they can suit a full-time student's timetable. We also make sure employers are made aware of their legal obligations.

"We are also aiming to provide students with a well-rounded education by providing them with skills that they can use whilst studying to earn some cash to support their studies, but also aid them once they've completed their course."

Angela added, "We are continuously striving to meet employers' and students' needs and there is a definite demand for more businesses in order for us to fulfill student demand particularly in the run up to the Christmas season."

Sunita Mistry, 17 of Compton Green, Fulwood is currently in her second year studying A' levels in Maths, Biology, Chemistry and an AS in Business and hopes to go onto study Biomedical Science at university.

She studies full-time at 30 hours per week and works on Saturdays and college holidays as a cashier at Halifax Plc.

She said, "I had tried to find work independently then I saw emails at college advertising Jobshop, it was very easy to access being on campus so I went along and found it very helpful.

"The introduction of the Halifax Recruitment team was a brilliant way of finding the job I wanted, I don't need to work but I just feel more independent having a job and feel it gives me a great deal of experience outside of college."