Studying in a lecture hall or class

Studying in a lecture hall or classroom is not the only way to pave the way to a successful career. Apprenticeships and traineeships offer a hands-on approach to learning in a diverse range of occupations and industries, including agriculture, automotive, finance and hospitality.Last year there were almost half a million apprentices and trainees, and the government has in the 2011 budget announced a $ 200 million funding boost to provide greater support for apprentices in the form of mentoring services and fast tracking programs.Skilled tradespeople continue to be in demand, with hairdressers, bakers, stonemasons, welders and mechanics all on the official National Skills Needs List, along with many other trade occupations. The good news is that apprentices enjoy good employment prospects, hands-on experience and on-the-job training.Data from a national survey of apprentices and trainees last year shows:90% of those who completed an apprenticeship or traineeship had a job nine months after training, with an average full-time salary of $ 52 000 per year for trades graduates, and $ 45 900 per year for non-trades graduates85% of graduates were satisfied with the quality of their workplace and off-the-job training.What's more, 25 year olds who have done an apprenticeship are just as happy as their university-going counterparts.A recent National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) study by Mike Dockery found that undertaking an apprenticeship or traineeship had a positive impact on happiness during and after training, and that once graduates enter the workforce as qualified tradespeople, they are just as happy as their peers with a university degree.Using data from a survey which tracks young Australians from ages 16-25, Dockery found that self-reported happiness levels for apprentices and trainees increase during their training and remain high as they start work. Dockery speculates that having realistic work expectations may explain this trend. “Apprentices get a very good idea of what they're going to be doing once they finish their apprenticeship,” explains Dockery. “By the fourth year, apprentices are doing what a fully qualified tradesperson does.” He adds, “If you’re a parent and your child is not particularly happy at school ... I certainly wouldn’t be discouraging them from going into a trade.

Studying in a lecture hall or classroom is not the only way to pave the way to a successful career. Apprenticeships and traineeships offer a hands-on approach to learning in a diverse range of occupations and industries, including agriculture, automotive, finance and hospitality.
Last year there were almost half a million apprentices and trainees, and the government has in the 2011 budget announced a $200 million funding boost to provide greater support for apprentices in the form of mentoring services and fast tracking programs.
Skilled tradespeople continue to be in demand, with hairdressers, bakers, stonemasons, welders, and mechanics all on the official National Skills Needs List, along with many other trade occupations.The good news is that apprentices enjoy good employment prospects, hands-on experience and on-the-job training.
Data from a national survey of apprentices and trainees last year shows:
90% of those who completed an apprenticeship or traineeship had a job nine months after training, with an average full-time salary of $52 000 per year for trades graduates, and $45 900 per year for non-trades graduates
85% of graduates were satisfied with the quality of their workplace and off-the-job training.
What’s more, 25 year olds who have done an apprenticeship are just as happy as their university-going counterparts.
A recent National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) study by Mike Dockery found that undertaking an apprenticeship or traineeship had a positive impact on happiness during and after training, and that once graduates enter the workforce as qualified tradespeople, they are just as happy as their peers with a university degree.
Using data from a survey which tracks young Australians from ages 16-25, Dockery found that self-reported happiness levels for apprentices and trainees increase during their training and remain high as they start work. Dockery speculates that having realistic work expectations may explain this trend. “Apprentices get a very good idea of what they're going to be doing once they finish their apprenticeship,” explains Dockery. “By the fourth year, apprentices are doing what a fully qualified tradesperson does.” He adds, “If you’re a parent and your child is not particularly happy at school ... I certainly wouldn’t be discouraging them from going into a trade.