Now that we are coming to the end of Term 1 many students in Year 12 are considering their options once school finishes for them in 7 months. For many of our young men in Year 10 & 11 they are considering what options they may have in the years to come. An interesting article was in the Sydney Morning Herald last week regarding the ways in which we, as parents, influence our children’s future careers and choices. This was specifically around the pressure we unduly place on children to go to University, as opposed to enrolling in CIT or starting a trade.
“The well paid career path parents don’t want their kids to take”
Some comments from the article are below:
“There are many answers why apprentice numbers are dropping but there is one important factor that is rarely explored; the influence of parents, who don’t realise their hopes for their children can be achieved with a career in a trade.”
“I hear time and again that young people are being put off apprenticeships by well-meaning parents who want to see their children in traditionally well-paid and respected white-collar roles – lawyers, accountants, general managers etc.”
“A quick look at the numbers explains why. NECA provides electrotechnology apprenticeship training, with around 90 per cent of our apprentices successfully completing their apprenticeship and almost all of them finding a well-paid job straight after graduation. This compares favourably to university graduates: only 71 per cent of graduates secure a job straight out of university. Fifteen per cent are still unemployed four years after graduating, and median starting salaries are just $54,000. And students are saddled with large debts with once they enter the workforce.”
I would encourage all students and parents to consider every option available at the moment and also have honest discussions with people in your network regarding the reality of University study and also the experience of working in a trade. Both avenues have pros and cons and it is important that all options are considered when considering decisions for the future.
Leigh Pirie (Careers Coordinator)