Long gone are the days when TAFE was a lesser-valued post-school pathway for school leavers who didn’t have the grades to get into uni.
Today TAFE is a leading provider of education and training in Australia, with industry-qualified and experienced staff bringing up-to-date, real-world skills directly to the classroom.
But unfortunately advice about TAFE courses and which qualifications students can pursue to land their dream job seriously lags behind what’s provided for university.
The result?
A skewed perception of TAFE among high school students and school leavers and university being the default choice for students, parents and schools alike.
In fact, with just 1 in 5 (19%) Gen Zs saying they feel like they have a good understanding of TAFE, our Year13 YouthSense research found just 13% of year 12s finishing this year plan to go to TAFE compared to 83% for university.
But here’s the thing, the diplomas and qualifications on offer at TAFE lead to some of the most popular professions among young Australians.
And, they’re some of the most in-demand.
For example, we found 28% of young Australians say they’re interested in working in the healthcare and social assistance industry which is facing a severe skills shortage according to a new National Skills Commission report.
And where can someone obtain the qualifications to get a foot in that industry?
You guessed it – TAFE.
So if your child isn’t as familiar with TAFE as a post-school pathway, it’s worth having a chat about the wide range of courses on offer that suit all kinds of skills and passions and which are in-demand, such as:
- Information media and telecommunications
- Administrative and support services
- Retail trade
- Accommodation and food services
- Arts and recreation services
- IT Security and Web Development
- Business and Finance
- 3D Art and Animation
- Film and Television
- Floristry
- Photography
- Aged Care
- Early Childhood Education
- Agriculture and more.
TAFE courses also emphasise skills that are transferrable across a wide range of jobs and occupations, such as effective communication, teamwork and problem-solving which are necessary to succeed in any field.
“I think the best advantage TAFE has over a university is the fact that their courses are made to get a student into a specific job, while some uni degrees can be really expensive, but not really practical,” an 18-year-old male from NSW told us.
On that practical side of things TAFE provides:
- Professional teachers with real-world experience that are dedicated, supportive and friendly and recognised for their hands-on approach to skills training. Small class sizes ensure maximum attention per student.
- Industry-standard, modern training facilities and up-to-date teaching materials and equipment that are internationally renowned.
- Courses developed with thousands of industry partners that feature built-in internships and work placements which enhance employability and career prospects – help put your Gen Z child on the path to where they want to be, faster (In some instances, you can even start earning while you’re still learning!).
- Friendly and relaxed campus lifestyle with region-specific courses and activities
- The flexibility of choosing from dozens of metropolitan and regional campuses in each state (with easy public transport options to reach them)
- Great student support services and dedicated facilities to assist you throughout your study experience such as free libraries, childcare facilities, careers advice, and assistance finding a job including learning how to write a resume and prepare for a job interview
- A variety of study options, including hybrid study options that offer a mix of classroom and online learning – part or full-time – to to suit the student’s lifestyle, aspirations or individual circumstances and enhance study-life balance, enabling students to study on their terms.
- A range of pathways to higher education for students who didn’t finish year 12, complete the required prerequisites or receive the rank they needed to get into their desired university degree
By understanding the benefits of TAFE and communicating this to your children they get to develop an informed view of their options for further study that prepares for a strong future.
