Gen Z might be the hardest-working group of young people yet

Generation Z may be the hardest-working cohort of young school-leavers yet, with figures revealing record levels are going on to study, training or jobs.

As Queensland’s class of 2023 celebrates their last day of Year 12 on Friday, with some heading off to Schoolies celebrations, a new survey can reveal more than 90 per cent of their predecessors successfully made the jump into post-school life.

Record numbers of young people are studying, training or working six months after leaving Year 12 in Queensland.Credit: Natalie Boog

The annual Next Step survey reveals 91 per cent of students who completed Year 12 in 2022 were engaged in education, training or employment six months after graduating.

The result was the best for Queensland school-leavers in 15 years.

In Brisbane schools, the figure was even higher, at 94.1 per cent.

Of the Brisbane school-leavers, 73 per cent were in education or training six months after Year 12, while 21 per cent had jobs.

Bachelor degree study remained the most popular destination, with about 40 per cent of school-leavers choosing that option across Queensland last year.

The data also reveals the tough situation facing graduates during the pandemic, with a large overall dip six months in 2020’s survey.

Education Minister Grace Grace said it was encouraging to see such a high proportion of students successfully making the transition to pathways outside school last year.

“This is a testament to the hard work of students and a credit to the principals, teachers, support staff and families involved,” she said.

“The class of 2023 is well-placed to build on the success of their predecessors, and I wish all those graduating today the very best as they enter post-school life.”

Just more than 37,000 of about 51,000 young people who graduated from Queensland state, independent and Catholic schools in 2022 completed the Next Step survey.