I understand the need to provide your readers with the full facts of student life, but your article on students combining work and study ("Odd jobs are ever more common", THES , August 17) did not acknowledge the existence of jobshops, that is, student employment services.

I do not doubt the veracity of the individual cases profiled, but these days most universities have a student employment service of some sort that advertises student-friendly jobs and vets employers and conditions to varying degrees.

I would like to draw to the attention of the government, vice-chancellors, lecturers and university purse-string holders the importance of these often underfunded, undervalued initiatives.

The government and institutions do need to be embarrassed into taking student development and student finances more seriously.

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These jobshops offer a valuable service to the many students who remain optimistic about finding suitable work they can do while they are studying.

Students who have part-time work experience are more employable than those without, or so graduate employers tell me.

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Perhaps The THES could publish a future article on jobshops and how part-time work offers not only the opportunity to make money but also to acquire valuable life skills. This would then provide reassurance to students and their parents.

I would fully endorse any attempt to remind government and university decision-makers of their responsibilities - but please remember to make them a clear target.

Sean Ireton
Jobshop coordinator
Kentunion
University of Kent