APPRENTICESHIP Support Australia (ASA) is encouraging parents, business owners and students to consider alternatives to university, such as apprenticeships and traineeships, as youths look to their future after the end of the school year.
ASA South Australian general manager Peter Adams said it was important to keep in mind not all students will want to go to university and parents and other influencers should consider the student’s interests and strengths when discussing career options.
With a high youth unemployment rate in South Australia and the Business SA Survey of Business Expectations showing a constant demand for skilled labour, students should be encouraged to consider trade or apprenticeship-based pathways, according to ASA.
“We’re facing a national skills shortage across a range of industries and we know not all young people want to spend the next three or four years studying at university,” Mr Adams said.
“We need to encourage young people to consider all the available career options and that could include a traineeship or apprenticeship.”
The National Centre for Vocational Education Research found 81pc of students who follow the apprenticeship pathway are likely to be in paid employment by the time they finish studying, compared to 71pc for university students.
Despite the statistics, the Federal Government’s Department of Jobs and Small Business this year found ongoing skills shortages in nursing, education, automotive, construction and engineering industries.
“The completion of an apprenticeship or traineeship in one of these areas can be a fast-tracked option for young people to gain a nationally-recognised qualification while gaining valuable work experience and avoid joining the growing number of young unemployed and underemployed people,” he said.
The State Government has committed $100m to Skilling South Australia, which aims to create more than 20,000 new apprenticeships and traineeships.
Funding will go towards projects, determining future workforce needs and helping young people buy equipment.
Hundreds of apprenticeships and traineeships are available across the state in almost every industry, from childcare and information technology to more traditional trades as plumbing, electrical and carpentry.
Mr Adams said while there would be more university offers next year, it was a good opportunity for young people to consider what they want to do, the outcomes they were looking for and what makes them happy.
“If young people follow their passions, are engaged and have a higher sense of wellbeing, they are more likely to have a successful career.”
