Working New Zealand: Work Focused Support Fact Sheet

Job Search Service

26 October 2006
 
The Job Search Service is Work and Income's new 13 week job search support programme for Unemployment Benefit clients and any people who are receiving other benefits who choose to take part.

In the first week participants:

• attend a WRK4U Seminar where they hear about how Work and Income can assist them to get a job
• attend a Planning and Assessment session where they complete a self-assessment to help identify the appropriate level of job search support and apply for financial assistance
• develop a service plan which details their individual job search activities.

From the second week participants undertake the job service approach detailed in their service plan. The type of support clients receive depends on their individual circumstances:

• clients who have a job lined up or are confident they can find work quickly undertake a self-directed job search supported by contact centre staff
• clients with a solid work history and good skills who need help with their job search attend our Search4WRK service twice a week to discuss their recent job search activity and plan their next activities. They have access to work brokerage and job matching, and can discuss any issues they're facing
• clients who need extra support will do In2WRK, an intensive one week module covering goal setting, job search skills, confidence building, CV writing, interviewing skills and employment relations. Once they complete the course, they'll attend Search4WRK.

Throughout the 13 weeks, Work and Income will talk regularly with clients to ensure they're getting the right level of support. Clients needing extra support will have a case manager assigned to work with them one on one.

The Job Search Service has been introduced in 13 Work and Income service centres. These service centres are located in Whangarei, Mangere, Dinsdale, Napier (City and South), Rotorua, Palmerston North (Main Street), Wanganui, Porirua, Nelson City, Christchurch City, and Dunedin (Central and South). The Job Search Service will be rolled out in a further 57 centres in November and the remaining centres by the end of April 2007.