STUDENTS at Huddersfield University are making an impact in the jobs market.

Latest figures from the annual Destination of Leaver in Higher Education survey show that 94.9% of the university’s students are in work or have moved onto further study within six months of graduation.

And a new Huddersfield firm has shown its belief in the calibre of students at the university by offering work placements to five of them.

Figures compiled in 2011 by the Higher Education Statistics Agency placed the university sixth in the UK for post-graduation employment levels.

The new DLHE figures show a marginal fall of 0.3% in the rate of “positive outcomes” for Huddersfield graduates, compared with the previous year – but in the context of the weak economy, the latest findings are regarded as highly positive.

Stephen Boyd, of the university’s careers and employability services, said: “These latest figures clearly demonstrate that yet again the university has maintained its position as one of the strongest performing universities in terms of employability.

“Despite what is now a double-dip recession, our graduates have continued to shine in the labour market and these figures are still among the best in the sector.”

“A number of factors are responsible for this strong showing, not least our multi award-winning careers and placement support, but also the selection of the courses on offer, our focus on integrated work experience, strong links to the professions and clear career-track pathways into graduate-level jobs.”

Meanwhile, JAM Business Media, based at Lindley, has offered paid work placements to five Huddersfield University students. The company, founded in May, 2010, offers expert advice and help on marketing via digital media, plus services such as website design.

Company boss Matt Hill was a professional footballer with clubs including Sheffield United before making a career switch into sales and marketing.

Keen to involve JAM with the local community and to offer employment opportunities, he met and interviewed a large number of business students at the university who were seeking work placements, which are an integral part of their degree studies.

“I was very impressed with all of them, for their mindset as well as their academic background,” said Mr Hill. But he was forced to whittle his final selection down to five.

The five – Chris Nightingale, Erika Jaselaityte, Daniel Cole, Jamie Whiteley and James Shaw – will be principally managing online advertising campaigns for clients.

Mr Hill said he hoped to be able to offer permanent posts to some of the students after they have completed their courses, saying: “I am really excited at the prospect of working alongside young people with fresh minds and new ideas and I think that they too will learn a lot over the next 12 months.”

The five recruits are all students at the university’s business school, taking a range of degree courses, including marketing, accountancy and entrepreneurial skills.

University work placement officer Andrew Stainton said it was unprecedented for one company to recruit such a large number of students.

“For the students, it is about gaining experience, putting their knowledge into practice, developing skills and improving long-term employability,” he said. “The firm gains enthusiasm, ideas and new perspectives.”