The Waikato branch of Student Job Search is closing its doors on September 30 as the job recruitment service makes the move to online.
Office co-ordinator Jewal Morrison confirmed the imminent closure, which will cost three people their positions.
Nine jobs in the Hamilton, Auckland, Wellington, Palmerston North, Christchurch and Dunedin offices will be disestablished and eight new roles created.
Two regional sales-based roles will service Auckland and Christchurch, while the other six positions will be based in Wellington operating an improved online service and call centre.
Student Job Search chief executive Paul Kennedy denied the closures were a cost- cutting measure, saying the move was designed to better meet the needs of students and employers.
The service was set up 29 years ago to assist hard-up students. Last year it placed more than 25,000 students in jobs.
"We've been listening to our students and employers: at the end of the day four times more students prefer to go online and the number of students engaging us through their offices is continuing to decline," Mr Kennedy said.
The Social Development Ministry – which commissioned a review of SJS – provides 89 per cent of the service's funding, amounting to $3.5 million.
Waikato University secondary teaching student Evelyn Leef has been using student job search for five years, finding jobs that range from helping with events such as Balloons over Waikato, to wallpapering and farm work.
Ms Leef likes the convenience of being able to go to a SJS branch, and the biggest problem with the online service was having to call the 0800 number from a landline.
Waikato University student Edilbert Peter has been using SJS for the past five months and said he would use the online service if there was no other option.
"You can get interaction and get the details then and there. I would prefer to use an office near the university."
Hamilton Aero Maintenance employs nine students as part-time staff for ground services such as cabin cleaning and baggage handling at Hamilton Airport.
Group support co-ordinator Tim O'Neill found out only yesterday the branch was closing and questioned whether he would get the same vetting service he currently received from branch staff.