Skills demands for the next generation of workers

In today’s competitive job market, finding the right career can be intimidating. Choosing an industry where skilled workers are in demand can be a smart choice.

vet

In today’s competitive job market, finding the right career can be intimidating. Choosing an industry where skilled workers are in demand can be a smart choice.

Today’s job market is very competitive and, for school-leavers, finding that first full-time job – let alone the right career path — can be challenging.

Recent research from The Foundation for Young Australians shows that, on average, it takes a young person 2.6 years to transition from education to full-time work. This is despite 60 per cent of young people holding a post-school qualification. The result for many is a growing sense of frustration and disappointment, and potentially low self-esteem.

But there is a proven tertiary education pathway that leads to a range of interesting and well-paid jobs. People who undertake vocational education and training (VET) greatly improve their chances of landing a job after graduation. For example, the employment rate for trade apprentices* who complete their training is 91 per cent according to the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) 2018 National Student Outcomes Survey.

Importantly, VET also offers a choice of hundreds of courses, 780 of which are subsidised by the NSW Government, that can lead to brilliant careers in a range of fields. They include careers in construction, hospitality, allied health services, aged care, education, IT, horticulture, and agriculture. It also offers a tertiary education pathway to jobs in non-traditional sectors like aeroskills or design and digital technologies.

VET qualifications also give people the kind of broad skills they’ll need in any job at any stage of life – skills like digital literacy, critical thinking, creativity, problem solving, adaptability and resilience.

NSW – like many other parts of Australia – is experiencing a skills shortage so the NSW Government has a number of initiatives in place to attract people to VET and in particular to apprenticeships and traineeships. For example, all apprenticeships are fee-free meaning that apprentices pay no training costs while the cost of traineeships is capped at $1,000.

The benefit of apprenticeships and traineeships

Apprenticeships combine on-the-job training with classroom study from a registered training provider in a range of traditional trades (like plumbing, carpentry and electrical) and also non-traditional trades (like aeroskills, engineering and telecommunications). Apprenticeships are established under training contracts between the employer and the apprentice, and are regulated by the NSW Government. 

There are many benefits in doing an apprenticeship. Apprentices earn while they learn and  receive all normal worker benefits like superannuation and leave entitlements over the course of their training. Also, they are not burdened with a HECS debt like their university counterparts at the end of their studies.

There’s never been a better time to secure an apprenticeship given they are fee-free in NSW and many trades are experiencing an acute shortage of skilled workers. For example, the construction industry alone is expected to require an additional 300,000 people over the next decade.

Like apprenticeships, traineeships combine work-based training with an employer and formal training from a registered training provider in various industry sectors including health care, community services agriculture and sport and fitness. Fees for trainees are capped at $1,000 but trainees also earn a wage while they learn, and are entitled to standard worker benefits.

VET opens doors to opportunity

Here are some of the industries where skilled workers are in-demand — and a traineeship or fee-free apprenticeship through VET can open the door to great career opportunities.

Construction

Currently, there are over one million workers employed in construction, with steady job growth expected. According to data from the Federal Department of Jobs and Small Business, the industry is a key employer of young people.

Construction careers also offer opportunities for rapid career progression as well as the ability to earn good salaries in a relatively short amount of time.

In NSW, employment opportunities for construction apprentices has been boosted significantly by  the government’s record $89.7 billion infrastructure commitment and the Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program . The program sets targets for learning workers on all major government infrastructure projects like the Sydney Metro, WestConnex and Lismore Base Hospital. It also has mandated targets for women, young workers under 25 and Aboriginal workers. These targets have been exceeded and thereby helping to create a more diverse and inclusive construction industry.

Electrical

Electricians are some of the highest paid tradespeople and their services are in great demand for domestic, construction and industrial work. Completing an electrical apprenticeship and securing a valid electrician’s license opens up a range of job opportunities; everything from testing to design and repair jobs across those sectors.

For 2018 Australian and NSW Apprentice of the Year Michael Edwards, an electrical apprenticeship not only offered career opportunities, it provided hands-on training that  “could open up job opportunities for me around the world”.

According to the National Electrical and Communications Association, 99 per cent of electrical apprentices find a job in the first three months. First-year apprentices typically earn between $30,000-$60,000 a year, while starting salaries for full-time workers can be as high as $91,000.

Automotive

The automotive industry is one of the most forward-thinking working cultures in Australia and the world, with innovation being a vital component of its success. The automotive industry is also a significant contributor to the prosperity and economic wellbeing of many nations. Globally the industry has an estimated worth of US$257 billion (A$361 billion), and although local manufacturing plants have shut down of late, the automotive industry in Australia continues to prosper and demand for auto-related skills continues to grow in the areas of vehicle maintenance and repairs. 

The Federal Department of Jobs and Small Business found that in NSW employers are having difficulty recruiting suitably qualified candidates for roles. 

The types of jobs on offer in the auto trade include mechanics, automotive electricians, panel beaters, painters and managers.

Healthcare

Australia’s population is ageing steadily. As the percentage of people above the age of 60 becomes more significant, there will be increasing opportunities for employment in a range of health-based roles. In fact, aged and disabled carers are predicted to be the occupation that adds the largest number of new jobs in the next five years, according to the Federal Department of Jobs and Small Business. VET is a key player in this space, training people in fields as diverse as nursing, aged care, dental assisting, hospital administration, pharmacy support, allied health services and more. Traineeships are the VET pathway to many of these jobs, which will appeal to those who enjoy working with people and making a difference to their lives.

Looking ahead with your child

The labour market is prone to rapid changes as innovation and automation impact the job landscape. With that in mind, it’s important that parents discuss with their children their strengths, interests and aspirations to determine the career path that best suits them.

For many, VET is the best option to get the skills needed to secure that dream first job and open the door to a rewarding career.

*Trade apprentices refer to the traditional trades such as in construction (plumbers, carpenters, electricians), automotive (mechanics, vehicle repairs), hospitality (chefs, pastry cooks,bakers), butchery, hairdressing, horticulture and the like.

Originally published as Skills demands for the next generation of workers