'There isn't anything' - Students facing tough job market
Many tertiary students and recent graduates in New Zealand are struggling to find employment despite their qualifications, leading to difficulties in covering basic living costs. Student Job Search (SJS) reports a significant imbalance, with 434,000 applications for only 53,000 positions, indicating a structural shift in the job market.
Why it matters
This situation highlights a critical economic and social challenge for young people, potentially impacting their financial stability, mental health, and the overall productivity of the workforce in New Zealand and beyond.
Tertiary qualifications typically take years of hard work and cost thousands of dollars, but many students and graduates are struggling to find work to pay rent and even get enough to eat.
That's according to employment agency Student Job Search (SJS), which says in the past financial year it had 434,000 applications for just 53,000 positions.
It says the student employment market has undergone major structural changes, and what appeared to be a short-term response to tough economic times is now baked into the employment landscape.
When George Davidson-Sims completed a degree in screen production and radio last November, he didn't think he'd be waiting tables and delivering room service. Yet he considers himself one of the lucky ones.
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