NZ Government Spends $1.15 million on Job Board For 2 Jobs

Link: New Zealand Herald.

Yet another fantastic effort from the govt. in wasting money on a project that really shouldn't be spent on. Have a look and see for yourself at NetworkZonline.govt.nz. Hmm. $1.15 million. Notice the very first line where they misspell their own name "NeworkZ Online". This is followed by two type-o's in the second line (there are only 2 lines of text.) Aside from the fact that there are only 5 current job vacancies listed (3 up since the Herald article!), it really isn't very attractive to jobseekers who are browsing. No job descriptions or any details provided, unless you register. Nor would it be attractive to employers to post their openings - if no one else is on there - there most likely aren't any jobseekers utilising it. And come to think of it, why aren't all government jobs listed in the job board?

Now I'm not putting in a plug for Seek or Trademe or Search4jobs, but hey - these are real online job boards that work. Why "compete" against them - NZ enterprises that employee hundreds or thousands of Kiwis? If the ultimate goal is to attract and recruit skilled migrants - I'm sure the fastest way to put them off NZ is with an interactive jobsite that has 3 jobs and doesn't work. Makes NZ look even smaller!

Recruiting and marketing is all business - and should be run like a business - not like a government expenditure. Business problems should be addressed with business solutions - not just technology solutions, like an online jobsite. Positive and effective policy and procedure changes in Immigration for working visas and family visas as well as changes in taxation or any kind of perks would probably do a lot more to attract skilled migrants than a rate-payer funded job board.

Comments

[Paul Jacobs]

Hi Steven

I came across a discussion on this topic (http://www.recruiting.com/quiet_agent_too_quiet) in which Jason Kerr from StaffCV/Quiet Agent makes a comment.

First up, I'm fully in favour of a technology solution that works to match employers with job seekers who posses hard to find skills. Many commentators highlight the skills shortage is holding back NZ organisations, our economy and the provision of specialist services to the NZ public. Do hairdressers and cosmetologists fit into this category though?

In this case I agree, far too much money was spent for what has been delivered. I would love to know how the Govt spend was itemised in terms of technology set-up, marketing to both employers and job seekers etc. I think the Govt needs to evaluate the system in light of all these factors - maybe the site just wasn't effectively promoted or maybe employers needed some hand holding in getting listings onto the site. Maybe the domain name itself was a flop. Or maybe NZ recruitment agencies themselves are filling a gap and actively sourcing hard to find skills in partnership with employers - I know that many industry bodies are doing a lot in this area, including setting up industry-specific job boards.

From memory Local Govt NZ for a year or two used a similar system with limited success. I would like to know the success rates of these types of systems in NZ. A simpler specialist job or industry-specific board for NZ employers, well-marketed, with a memorable name may have been a much better option.

Anyway, it seems to have been a very costly experiment.