New report: The labor market for summer jobs during the corona pandemic

According to the experts, the total number of jobs seems fewer this year and especially the tourism and restaurant industry has significantly fewer jobs than ordinary summers. On the other hand, there seem to be more jobs in health and care, as well as in the horticultural industries.

There are about 355 who study at post-secondary level and take study grants. The majority are students at universities and colleges. There are many who need to find a way to support themselves when the spring semester is over, as study grants are not paid out during June and July. 

The most common way to earn a living during the summer is through work. Many students already have an extra job in addition to their studies. Others are looking for seasonal work or summer jobs. In both cases, however, the labor market is affected by the corona pandemic: Part-time students are often the first to leave when shops and restaurants lose customers; Summer jobs become fewer when demand in many industries is uncertain or declining. 

This report is the first of two surveys, where SFS tries to find out what the opportunities are for university students to earn a living during the corona pandemic in the summer and autumn of 2020. In the survey, we asked a number of expert organizations how they view the labor market for summer jobs for students. 

In summary, we can state that there is great uncertainty. In some industries, such as health and care and in the horticultural industries, there are more jobs. But the tourism and restaurant industry stands out as an industry with significantly fewer jobs than ordinary summers. All in all, the jobs are thus fewer than in a normal year. It seems that the students who need a summer job to support themselves can get it tough.