Why you should consider a VET pathway after school

The aim of VET (apprenticeships, traineeship, vocational study) is to make you ‘work ready’. This means that the work and study you undertake is directly relevant to an industry, is hands on, often incorporates work experience, and will give you a qualification.

VET is for everyone. Not only is VET for those who are passionate about working with their hands, many university graduates will need to gain vocational qualifications to be able to work in specific industries and to ensure they have work ready skills.

VET graduates are considered to have ‘job ready’ skills and in the future labour market in Australia with 1 in every 2 young people expected to complete a Bachelor degree, it is more important than ever to have diverse skills, industry experience and more than one qualification (e.g., a Bachelor of Engineering with a TAFE Diploma in Project Management).

So, no matter if you want to design the latest fashions, design buildings, create new recipes, look after the environment, care for animals, assist people to regain their health or defend our nation, there is a vocational course for everyone.

Key statistics (Australian data)

• 9/10 occupations predicted to have the most jobs growth by 2022 are in vocational training areas and in the industries with the most growth (e.g., health and community services, construction, and accommodation and food services)
• Specific occupations with the biggest growth prediction include sales assistants, aged care workers, disability workers, enrolled nurses, electricians, chefs, and early childhood education workers etc.
• VET graduates earn wages comparable to, if not exceeding, that of university graduates.
• VET graduates have a higher employment rate than university undergraduates. Currently it takes on average 4.7 years for a university graduate to find full time work in their field of study.
• More than 78% of VET graduates are employed after training
• VET courses have adapted more readily to changing workforce needs.

Sources:

• ‘Perceptions Are Not Reality: myths, realities & the critical role of vocational education & training in Australia’, Skilling Australia Foundation, 2017, http://bit.ly/2vPBkPF
• How Young People Are Faring In The Transition From School To Work? Report Card. (2015). [ebook] The Foundation for Young Australians

What are my options after school?

Traineeship:

You will combine studying a nationally recognised qualification whilst working. Traineeships usually take between 12 – 18 months to complete.

Apprenticeship:

The same as a traineeship, but the qualification takes longer to complete, usually between 3 – 4 years. You will receive a trade qualification that will be recognised anywhere you live in Australia.

Vocational Training

You will study a course through a ‘Registered Training Organisation’. This can range from a short course to an Advanced Diploma. Most people at some point of their lives will undertake some form of vocational study.

Local vocational training organisations

• Wodonga Institute of TAFE, McKoy St, Wodonga, wodongatafe.edu.au Key contact – Kelly Dickins, kdickins@wodongatafe.edu.au
• TAFE NSW (Albury Campus), Poole Street, Albury. Key contact – Lauren Strauss, lauren.strauss@tafensw.edu.au, rit.tafensw.edu.au 
• Albury Wodonga Community College, 63 High St, Wodonga, awcc.edu.au
• GO TAFE, 27 Docker Street, Wangaratta, gotafe.vic.edu.au

Past student stories

I hope you enjoy the following stories from past Catholic College students who have undertaken VET pathways. All have enjoyed/are enjoying their vocational pathway and are keen to share their experiences with you.

Traineeships

Legal Administration

• Stephanie Gill: Keating and Avery, Click here
• Kayla Laird: Albury Legal, Click here
• Nikki Irvine: First Point, Click here

Medical Administration

• Ashleigh Laird: Albury Surgical Group, Click here

Business/Office Administration

• Kirstie Upton: Business Administration, Click here
• Georgia Bain: Belvoir Special School, Click here
• Lacey Armstrong: Westmont Aged Care, Click here
• Lauren Allen: MP Recruitment and Training, Click here
• Lucy Riley, Westmont Aged Care, Click here
• Maddison Franklin, Indigo Shire Council, Click here
• Jesse Barton, Shanahan’s Livestock Transport, Click here

Real Estate

• Jake Spargo: Stockdale and Leggo, Click here

Environmental Health

• Hannah Shanks-Colla: Wangaratta City Council, Click here

Engineering

• Matthew Bethune: Civil Engineering, EDM Group, Click here

Agriculture

• Nicole Vogel: Agriculture, Click here

Education Support

• Josie Lindner: Catholic College Wodonga, Click here
• Ella Taig: Catholic Identity, Catholic College Wodonga, Click here
• Laura Oswald: Baranduda Primary School, Click here

Disability Services

• Claire Ferris: Interchange, Click here
• Tess Riordan: Interchange, Click here
• Marnie Matassoni, Interchange, Click here

Sport and Recreation

• Ben Paton: Tallangatta Secondary College, Click here
• Trent Williamson: Victory Lutheran College, Click here

Personal Care Assisting

• Bronte Crothers: Westmont Aged Care, Click here

Dental Nursing

• Emma Edwards: Daintree Family Dental Clinic, Click here

IT Support

• Jake Chant: City of Wodonga, Jake Chant, IT Support-1qwnyav

Defence Force

• Jack Macklan, Quarter Master, Army, Click here
• Hannah McKerral: Driver Specialist, Army, Click here
• Nick Scheidl, Airbase Security, Air Force, Click here
• Jamie-Lee Digby, Weapon’s Specialist, Navy, Click here
• Jess Symons, Operator Movement, Army, Click here
• Declan Herring, Army Officer, Click here

Apprenticeships

Carpentry

• Ollie Greenhill: Liv Designs, Click here

Cabinet Making

• Riley Damm, Click here

Electrical

• Connor Baker: Jamie Swinnerton Electrical, Click here

Commercial Cookery

• Zackary Furst: Brooks of Melbourne, Click here
• Zac Reid: Miss Amelie, Click here

Engineering

• Ben Hartwig: Bradken, Patternmaking, Click here
• Willis Neil: Boiler Making, Click here
• Riley Payne: Fitter Machinist and CNC Operator, Click here

Heavy Diesel

• Kade Glass: CMV Trucks and Bus, Click here

Plumbing

• Mason Brown: Jones Doyle Plumbing, Click here

Vocational Study (TAFE)

Hairdressing/Beauty/Make Up

• Monique Sinnett: Beauty Therapy, Riverina Institute of TAFE, click here
• Cherie Broadbent: Beauty Therapy, Riverina Institute of TAFE, Click here
• Phoebe Lucas: Makeup, National Academy of Beauty, click here

Gaming and Animation

• Brodie Martin, Academy of Interactive Entertainment, Click here
• Sarah Staley, Academy of Interactive Entertainment, Click here

Photography/Design/Film

• Jackson Grant, Screen and Media, RMIT, Click here
• Bill Gibson, Building Design, Wodonga Institute of TAFE, Click here
• Emilia Hanuska: Custom Footwear Design, RMIT, Click here