The possible closure of local SJS branches and their replacement with a centralised call centre in Wellington has been met with general unconcern among students spoken to by Critic.
Whilst many students acknowledged using SJS to look for employment, both during the university year and over the summer break, several students expressed uncertainty about the effectiveness of the service’s physical offices. Students who had used SJS pointed out that the website and call-in system was often all they needed, and many had no qualms about the closure of local SJS branches.
One student told Critic that, in his view, the money saved by closing physical offices should be used to improve other parts of the service, particularly the screening of job suitability and value, as "no one wants to come and garden for an hour and get $12."
Almost all students spoken to agreed that a part-time job or other source of income was a necessity to survive as a student, considering the cap of $170 on borrowing under the student loan scheme. However, with the large number of university students in Dunedin, finding part-time work is often difficult, especially in the retail and hospitality fields.
The results of Critic’s informal survey were surprising given Student Job Search’s relatively high ranking on a 2010 student satisfaction survey of OUSA services.
Students not too concerned about SJS Office closure
