Students at the University of Regina will soon have the opportunity to take an extra year of classes with the University footing the bill.

Next September, U of R will launch a guarantee program for students who cannot find a job in their field within six months of graduation. The school has offered to pay the tab for an extra full year of classes for graduates who find themselves unemployed.

“It’s a program to ensure students are involved and engaged in their academic endeavors,” Barbara Pollock, vice-president external relations at U of R, said.

She added as an additional benefit, promotion of the program could aid in the university’s recruitment.

In order to stay in the program students will need to maintain a 70 per cent average while participating in volunteer activities, internships, workplace learning and career counselling. This is all done ultimately to prepare the student for the workplace.

“We’re anticipating to see an increase in [the university’s current academic and career counselling] because of the program,” Pollock noted.

The current economic situation has given many students a reason to take another year of school rather than try to enter an unpredictable work force.

“Because of the economic climate there’s been a surge of activity,” Maria Forte, co-ordinator of the Employment Resource Centre at the London Public Library. “We’re seeing a lot more newcomers this year than in the past.”

Jennifer Caron, career counsellor at Western’s Student Success Centre, mentioned the predominate users of career services last year were undergraduates in their fourth year of study and graduate students.

Western has no plans of implementing a guarantee program similar to U of R. However, Dan Moulton, vice-president university affairs for the University Student’s Council, acknowledged the concerns students have upon graduation.

“I think anyone who goes to a university [is] going to meet some students that are apprehensive about the job market,” Moulton said. “Students are always concerned about this kind of thing — it’s important that students are aided in achieving not only their educational goals, but their career goals as well.”

Moulton added students should be prepared to look beyond universities as a means of furthering a career.

“I think it’s incredibly important students have the ability to invest in their education and see the outcome of that education,” Moulton said. “But I think it’s important to remember the educational experience isn’t just designed to get us a job — it’s designed to give you an educational experience.”

Moulton added Western has a number of services students can take advantage of before heading into the work force.

“We’re always here to adapt and serve students,” Caron said. “We’re open to suggestions, recommendations about what students need and trying to adapt to meet those needs.

Pollock said Regina’s guarantee program ultimately aims to expose students to the market, and make them a more marketable employee. In an article by the Canadian Press, Pollock noted U of R has the highest job placement rate in Saskatchewan at 97 per cent.

“We at the USC have long pushed for a strong career services at Western […] It’s important that students know these services are available and that they use them because the career services are amazing,” Moulton noted.

“There are endless resources for students, but it’s incumbent for students to recognize these resources and use them to the best of their advantage.”