• Setting up a service

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► Setting up a service

If you or your institution are planning to introduce a student employment service (SES), preparation for introducing your service starts here. Below are key points outlining the various types and the range of SES models to consider when deciding how to manage your service.

There is no uniform location for SES's within institutions.  The two most popular locations are the careers centre (55%) and the students' union (30%).  However, other locations can include student affairs, commercial departments, or student services. Existing services are based in the following areas:

• careers services;
• students’ unions;
• student services;
• commercially owned within one of the above.

SES's can operate under different models. For more information see our service case studies and the NASES 2011 Survey of the Student Employment Sector (pdf opens in a new window).

• Job centre style (non-charging) - using a method similar to Job Centre Plus - advertising a wide variety vacancies on notice boards and web sites which students apply for directly.
• Job centre and charging - as above, but making charges for these and additional recruitment services (for example jobs fairs).
• Dual service - job centre style services and supplying staff for on campus vacancies with a fee generally to cover costs. 
• Commercial recruitment agency style - commercial, temporary employment agency service, just like a high street agency.  A self financing model usually operating at a profit offering temporary vacancies on and off campus.

If you are starting a SES, NASES can put you in touch will other practitioners, ideally those managing a similar type of service, to help you voice any concerns and learn from their experience.  You can also visit our service case studies to see some examples.

If you become a NASES member you will gain access to a range of resources found in the members-only sections of our website; regular access to members only email (jiscmail) and our newsletter all of which will aid you in dealing with these issues. For more information about the benefits of joining NASES visit our membership section.

Before setting up your employment service, it is advisable to form a steering group involving partners with departments on campus (HR, student services, students' union representative, widening participation and marketing) and relevant external organisations (Job Centre Plus, Chamber of Commerce representative, local FE colleges or 6th Form). This will ensure the new student employment service will be meeting the needs of the students, insitution, and local community.