A Dunedin internship programme in which employers use a speed dating-style technique to interview students has won overseas recognition.
The International Economic Development Council is giving an honorary award to the Sexy Summer Jobs programme, developed by the Dunedin City Council and Otago Polytechnic.
The programme was started two years ago when it was realised the polytech's students could not find work in Dunedin, yet employers were short of experienced workers.
Students sit for up to ten seven-minute interviews seeking a subsidised summer internship.
The city business advisor behind the programme, Graham Strong, says one in three interns has been kept on in a permanent job in the city.
This year the programme has grown to 50 companies in the IT, agricultural, biotechnology and fashion industries seeking a total of about 100 interns.
