Here are four myths and nine myth-busting fast facts about apprenticeships in Australia.
Myth 1: There’s no future in “dirty trades”
The Facts
- Due to an industry-wide skills shortage, Australia has never needed skilled trade talent more.
- There are 64 traditional trades included on the Federal Government’s National Skills Needs list.
- The Federal Government’s 2017 Budgets includes a proposal to establish a Skilling Australians Fund which would be used to support up to 300,000 apprentices, trainees, pre-apprentices and other categories of local workers.
Myth 2: Apprentices earn less than most other jobs
The Facts
- MIGAS pays apprentices and trainees under the Modern Award which is comparable to working in retail or hospitality – and they start earning straight out of school without the burden of a HECS or VET Student Loan debt.
- The highest average starting salary for a VET qualification (Certificate IV in Hazardous Areas – Electrical at $85,400) is higher than the highest starting salary with a bachelor-level degree (Dentistry at $80,000).
Myth 3: I’ll only get a job if I go to uni
The Facts
- The Department of Employment has forecast 54,900 new jobs up to the year 2019 for electricians, carpenters, tilers, painters, joiners and plumbers.
- Latest research by Graduate Careers Australia shows vocational education graduates have a better chance of finding a job with 78 per cent of VET graduates finding a job compared to 69 per cent of bachelor degree graduates.
Myth 4: Being a tradie is just a backup plan
The Facts
- There were 264,425 apprentices and trainees in training as at 20 September 2020. Source: NCVER
- The Australian Government invested nearly $1.4 billion over 7 years (2008 – 2016) through the Trade Training Centres in Schools Program to enable secondary school students in Australia to have access to modern trade training facilities.