History
Our Journey
Our journey began in 1982 when the Department of Labour's 'Student Community Service' programme formed us with the mission to alleviate student poverty.
In the pre-internet days, we provided employers with the opportunity to advertise vacancies through our job listing boards, posted at various student unions across the country. Students would take the employer's phone number, initiate contact, and work together from that point onward.
Our Timeline
1982
Student Job Search is Born
Established in 1982 by local student representative groups, SJS was originally established to facilitate the Government’s student wage subsidy scheme. This scheme encouraged employers to hire a student over summer, subsidisng the employer by up to $75.Local management committees would help employers connect with students – employers would simply call their local branch or drop by in-person and pin their job up on the campus noticeboards. Students would visit the offices regularly, where they could apply for the latest jobs.
1986
Control of SJS handed over to students
Student Job Search was declared autonomous by the Government in 1986. All operations were now co-ordinated by the newly established Student Job Search Aotearoa Incorporated and funded to a large degree by an annual grant from the government.
1989
Mass protests as fees quadruple and bursaries replaced
Despite mass protests in major centres, from 1989, the Government replaced bursaries (which had covered fees and living costs) with means-tested student allowances. Fees more than quadrupled, and students were expected to pay these out of their own pockets. Balancing part-time work with study became an economic necessity for thousands of students across the country.
1990
Student holiday work scheme abolished
In 1990, the Government removed the subsidy for employers hiring students over the summer period. This scheme had accounted for 40% of all jobs on Student Job Search. Predictably, its removal led to a massive rise in unemployment amongst students.
1992
Demand for student jobs boom.
As student life grew more expensive, and wage subsidies were removed for employers, many students who desperately needed work were unable to find it. SJS became a ‘job-finding machine’ for a great deal of the 90s as it desperately tried to fill the overwhelming student demand for work.The prevailing perception among employers was that hiring a student wasn’t worth the cost. SJS was committed to changing this perception.
1997
SJS expands operations
By 1997 there were eight main regional Student Job Search offices and another 15 additional offices during the busy summer period from Invercargill to Whangarei.
2001
sjs.co.nz is launched
The creation of the website ushered SJS into the 21st century. Students with access to a computer and an internet connection could now also view relevant jobs in their area online as well as by visiting the regional offices
2004
SJS restructured
SJS restructured dissolving the regional office societies and transferring all assets to Student Job Search Aotearoa Inc. A General Manager was appointed at the National Head Office based out of Dunedin.
2006
Interest-free loans introduced
Helen Clark’s Labour Government introduces interest-free loans for borrowers who reside in New Zealand.
2011
SJS moves to Wellington and goes entirely online
Between 2009 and 2011, the head office moved from Dunedin to Wellington and a centralised contact centre was set up to allow a consistent national service. In 2011, regional offices were closed — moving the service entirely online.
2015
SJS expands to include full-time jobs for graduates
With the demand for graduate jobs on the rise and the need for students to gain experience in the workplace, the inclusion of full-time, entry-level jobs for graduates on SJS was a natural progression.
2018
One year “Fees-Free” scheme introduced for first time learners
50,000 students took up the fees-free scheme in 2018, with the Government planning to extend the scheme to include the first three years of study by 2024.
2019
SJS hits a million!
After 37 years of hard work and a whole lot of passion for student wellbeing in Aotearoa, SJS fills its 1,000,000th job in 2019.
2021
SJS expands efforts to find full-time jobs for graduates
A new team is established to liaise with businesses to find permanent positions for students and prepare them for job interviews. A Parliamentary event, held by The Ministry for Social Development (MSD) alongside Student Job Search is held to celebrate the expanded graduate services.
2023
SJS wins awards for excellence in social purpose and candidate care
SJS took out the ‘Best Candidate Experience’ award for supporting graduates with an exceptionally high level of care during the GovTechTalent campaign.
