On-the-job experience invaluable when looking for a job, experts say
School leavers should not turn their nose up at traineeships in favour of university study, because on-the-job training backed up by learning the theory makes them more employable, experts say.
NSW
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Career experts are telling school leavers they should not turn their noses up at traineeships in favour of university study because vocational training offers better employment prospects.
Facing an unpredictable economic outlook, vocational education experts say a traineeship means young students can gain priceless experience and demonstrate they are capable future employees.
National Apprentice Employment Network Chief Executive Di Dayhew said a range of industries offered traineeships which gave young workers a foot in the door.
“Basically you’re connected to employment immediately, and what you learn at TAFE or another provider makes sense in the workplace straight away,” she said.
“You’re really work-ready when you finish your traineeship and you’re really attractive to future employers — it is a superpower, it amplifies the value of the course.
“You have employers always looking for experience in the workplace, if you have real life experience it is much more valuable, it just brings your skills to life.”
One of the upsides of a traineeship is students are not simply spending money simply on a course, they are able to earn a wage at the same time.
David Collins, Executive Director Training Services NSW, said combining formal and work-based training means people were supported on the job and in their further learning.
“There are different options on how to start a traineeship, you can choose to work with your current employer, or approach a small business or a government organisation. You might also work for a group training organisation that employs you and places you with a host employer,” Mr Collins said.
“There’s never been a better time to start a traineeship in NSW as the NSW government is funding the course costs of 70,000 new traineeships, which means trainees undertaking a government funded traineeship course no longer face a student fee.”
For 19-year-old Ricky Rangra, the decision to take a traineeship with Westpac after leaving Penrith High has quickly propelled the young student into the world of high finance.
He credits his Westpac traineeship last year with giving him valuable skills in leadership and professional ethics.
“It was an opportunity to get my foot in the door, the reality is when you graduate there is no guarantee that you will get a job,” he said.
“When you’re around the best business leaders at Westpac, you learn a lot about their working culture, their professional ethics as well as their day to day leadership strategies which I have been able to apply to my professional life.”
He has been nominated for NSW Training Service’s Trainee of the Year.
“I got to have coffee with the CEO (Brian Hartzer) in his office … he gave me some advice.”
He is now studying at the University of Sydney and despite his young age he has landed a job as a transaction analysis associate and AMP.
There are currently 27,064 active traineeship contracts across NSW, with traineeships in early childhood and education proving the most popular.
You can vote for the People’s Choice in the NSW Training Awards here.
Originally published as On-the-job experience invaluable when looking for a job, experts say