Record numbers of jobseekers flock to careers advice website

MEDIA RELEASE
4 July 2011

Record numbers of jobseekers flock to careers advice website

Careers New Zealand holding summit in response to increased demand

Demand for relevant, practical careers advice and services is at an all-time high, with Careers New Zealand today reporting more than 3 million New Zealand-based visits to its website in a 12-month period – a first for the government agency.

Careers New Zealand chief executive Dr Graeme Benny said it had been a difficult year for many Kiwis and the record numbers using the website was reflective of a nation-wide demand for expert, free advice so people could make smart, well-informed career decisions.

“Clearly more people are needing help with work and career decisions in these difficult times. We are always striving to extend our free online and personal advisory services to help more New Zealanders survive the rapidly changing labour market.”

This high demand is one of the drivers behind Careers New Zealand’s decision to hold a national Careers Summit in Wellington this week to look at ways in which career development can contribute to the country’s economic recovery and future growth.

Dr Benny said it was time to take a more strategic view of the value of careers and the Summit, being held in Wellington on 7 July, would provide a perfect platform for this debate.

“For our economy to recover and prosper, employers need to be able to employ productive workers equipped with the right skills for the jobs available. For this to happen, people need to manage their careers throughout their lifetime – and it starts at secondary school when students select their school subjects.”

Dr Benny said a number of notable business, public sector and community leaders will attend the half-day Summit to provide practical suggestions and expertise on how good career skills and an effective careers system can contribute to the economic development of New Zealand.

“We’ll be looking for input from those attending the Summit about just how we develop careers in New Zealand so itbetter serves individuals and employers,” he said.

“This will not be a one-off event – it is just the first stage in developing an ongoing dialogue between Careers New Zealand and various sector leaders across the country.”

Dr Benny was thrilled to announce the 3 million New Zealand-based visits for the year to 30 June, coming as it did on the heels of confirmation the site had also been voted in the Top 10 most informative public sector websites by independent assessor E-Gov Watch.

“Hitting the 3-million mark is something special. And when you consider we also had over a million visits from outside New Zealand the demand and the need for career support – globally – becomes clear.”

For more information on the resources and tools available from Careers New Zealand, visit www.careers.govt.nz or phone the advice line on 0800 222 733.

© Scoop Media