Mythbusting the role of apprenticeships
There’s never been a better time to undertake an apprenticeship or traineeship in Australia. Yet when it comes to the value of Vocational Education and Training (VET) career pathways, there are a lot of myths about what is, and isn’t, involved.
As of September 2024, there were 333,765 apprentices in work across Australia. Without them, and the skills they’re developing, Australia would fall well short of the skills required to keep our workforce strong. The Australian Jobs 2024 report found significant skills shortfalls in construction, mining, health care and social assistance (among others). Many occupations associated with these sectors require workers with VET qualifications.
So let’s take a look at some of the more common myths.
Myth one: Apprenticeships are a ‘fallback plan’ if you don’t qualify for university
Over 500 career pathways and qualifications are available by completing an apprenticeship or traineeship. These include trades, childcare, health, hospitality, IT, business and more! Describing apprenticeships as a ‘second-rate option’ behind university ignores those who want to work in these industries and prefer hands on learning, getting practical experience, and choosing to fast track into the career they want.
Apprentices and trainees are paid a salary or wage as they work towards gaining skills to get them qualified – all under the supervision of experts in their field. On completion, they have a nationally-recognised qualification, and 95.6% of them will be employed straight away. By way of comparison, a university student over the same timeframe accumulates a HECS debt and enters the workforce with limited practical skills.
Just ask estimator Hugo Kregar, who completed his carpentry apprenticeship in 2023. “I have a lot of mates who have gone to university, and they often say to me: ‘Oh, I wish I did an apprenticeship pathway, something that you’ve done’”, Hugo said. “When they see a friend go through a system, they think to themselves: ‘I should have done that as well’”.
Myth two: Apprenticeships are just for tradies
For generations, apprenticeships have been associated in many peoples’ minds with trades. Even more specifically, construction-related trades like plumbing, electrical, roof tiling and carpentry.
Like many things to do with apprenticeships and traineeships, though, things have changed dramatically in recent years. According to key findings in the 2024 Jobs and Skills report, the sectors most likely to be suffering ongoing shortages in coming years are aged and disability care, while truck drivers, chefs and childcare workers are in shortage too. All these occupations require a VET pathway, meaning ‘hard hats and hammers’ are far from the only tools of the trades that our workforce of the future will require.
Australia’s Occupation Shortage List is regularly updated to reflect skills shortages in all types of industries and sectors, but two things remain stable; the country is crying out for qualified workers in a multitude of different fields and apprenticeships have a critical role to play.
Myth three: You’ll be on your own
MEGT understands that the challenge of successfully starting an apprenticeship or traineeship, balancing work, off-the-job training and life commitments can be difficult. That’s why the Australian Apprenticeship Support System is designed to provide apprentices, trainees and employers alike with the tools they need to get ahead.
Apprentice Connect Providers like MEGT dedicate significant resources to providing layers of support to apprentices and trainees. Having access to the guidance, support and wisdom of a qualified mentor is proven to help improve apprenticeship and completion rates. Whether it’s boosting confidence, navigating workplace challenges, or setting goals for the future, mentors are helping apprentices thrive and keeping workplaces strong.
MEGT Mentor Tyler Cubby says: “It’s about making sure apprentices know there is someone in their corner and who has their back. Sometimes that can make a huge difference in someone’s life”.
There’s also strong evidence to suggest apprentices and trainees who are professionally mentored are more likely to complete their qualifications and set people up for long-term success in their careers.
Myth four: VET pathways limit your ability to earn a good salary and get promoted
Most apprenticeships last three or four years, and one or two years in the case of traineeships. A Jobs and Skills Australia report from 2024 found the median full-time income for a VET graduate increased by $11,800 the year after completion. Not only that, but 78% of VET graduates are employed soon after they qualify, compared to 68% of those with a bachelor's degree. The demand for VET qualifications has increased significantly in recent years.
The opportunities for promotion are limitless, according to MEGT ambassador Hugo Kregar. “As soon as I was a qualified carpenter, I began undertaking a construction management degree”, he said. “My background on the tools meant I’m aware of how a building site works, and that gives me a great base to have a better understanding now as an estimator for large-scale projects”.
Myth five: Apprenticeships are only for young people
Some people perceive apprenticeships and traineeships are best suited to school leavers or those starting their career. In reality, of all the apprentices and trainees that MEGT has signed up since 1998, almost 40% were 25 years of age or older.
That makes sense from a couple of perspectives. Firstly, it’s common these days for workers to hold multiple careers across their working life. Re-skilling is a significant part of changing careers. Secondly, many people who complete their first apprenticeship will at some stage start another to upskill to take the next step in their career. Both reinforce that age is no barrier to learning new skills and making yourself more ‘marketable’ to employers in different sectors.