Are you a high school student in Australia on the verge of graduation? What about an Australian workforce veteran weighing the possibility of a career change?
Either way, you should consider Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs before signing up for college courses.
VET programs are designed to prepare students for lifelong careers and offer the basics for entry-level positions in many industries.
Here’s everything you need to know about these programs and why they’re worth it.
1. The Certification System is Highly Regulated
The role of vocational training institutions in the educational industry is historical.
On-the-job training preceded the era of government regulation, but these informal apprenticeship programs have since ceded to public demand for standards in the workforce.
Whether you are a dental hygienist or an electrician, you must prove that you were adequately trained in your trade before beginning your career, and the best way to do so is through VET training.
Luckily, an entire industry of vocational schooling has formed around this need for formalized credentialing. There are two kinds of VET schools:
- TAFEs (Technical and Further Education)
- RTOs (Registered Training Organization)
TAFEs are government-affiliated, while RTOs are privately owned.
If you find yourself interested in an RTO, you will want to do your research and ensure it complies with government requirements.
The last thing you want is to pour yourself into a program track that would-be employers refuse to recognize.
To get an idea of what to look for in an RTO, look to educational advisors in the field for advice about services that assist these organizations in remaining as certified as you hope to be.
2. Improved Job Prospects
For most, post-secondary school education is a route taken to substantially improve chances of employment.
As a result, it’s no surprise the popularity of both RTO and TAFE programs is on the rise as their length of schooling is often shorter than undergraduate programs.
Depending on your choice of vocation, you could be a certified member of the workforce in a matter of months!
In February of 2022, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported the general employment rate increasing.
However, a study comparing the employment prospects of VET students to their general secondary-education counterparts shows they have a significant lead in the probability of employment.
There’s no denying that the quicker a student can transition into the job market, the sooner they can recoup value on their investment in themselves and pursue dreams of prosperity.
3. Reduced Debt and Increased Value
Australia may be known for the affordability of its higher education institutions, but that doesn’t mean its student population is exempt from the pressures of loan repayment.
The average amount of debt held by students using the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) continues to grow. When making decisions about their future, a primary concern for most students will be the tuition price tag.
Currently, the average cost of undergraduate tuition at an Australian university is as high as $33,000 (AUD) a year. In comparison, the average cost of a VET program can be as low as $4,000 a year and is rarely higher than $22,000.
However, the shorter timeframe of these vocational tracks further decreases their overall cost.
In addition, most government-recognized TAFE courses count towards credits in corresponding undergraduate programs, creating the foundation for an incredible amount of value.
Making the Best Choice for Your Future
Deciding how to move forward with your education is a process deserving of patience, research, and introspection.
For some, higher education holds an inherent academic appeal that cannot be distracted from that can only be found in universities. For others, satisfying and gainful employment is the primary goal.
Whether you find a vocational training program or a more traditional academic program right for you, ensure your decision is well-informed by carefully considering our three points above.
