By VERTO
Making a decision on your future can feel pretty daunting. Many of your friends might be set on what they want to do, but if you come from a different mould, it can feel like the usual options just don’t fit. If you’re ready to think outside the box, a trade career might be for you. Here are five reasons to consider an apprenticeship after your HSC.
#1 Start working and earning straight away
If you are ready to get out from behind the desk and enter the world of work, an apprenticeship can be a great option. You’ll earn while you learn, working and studying simultaneously, so you start building real-world skills and getting paid from the beginning.
#2 Excellent career opportunities and fantastic pay
Many of our trades are facing skill shortages, meaning they need more qualified people desperately. By choosing a trade today, you’ll be building a career in a space with a ton of job opportunities and excellent wage growth, so you’re guaranteed a bright future. In fact, some tradies today are better paid than Australian graduates.
#3 Escape the 9-to-5 grind
From the traffic to the long hours behind a desk, you’ve no doubt heard all about the nine-to-five grind, and if it’s just not for you, then a trade might be the answer. Working with your hands can be incredibly rewarding. As a tradie, you’ll build, create, design or fix something every day. And each day will be different – with a new set of challenges and opportunities and even new locations, so it’ll never get old.
#4 Live and work where you want
Qualified tradespeople are needed across the country, so you don’t have to live in a city, paying high rents for a tiny apartment. As a tradie, you can live and work where you want, whether it’s the city, the beach or the bush that is calling you. Even better, your qualification will be nationally recognised, so if life takes you across state borders, your career can follow.
#5 Run your own show
If you dream of one day being the boss, a trade is a fantastic gateway. Many tradespeople go on to run their own businesses, whether working by themselves or employing a team. In fact, 35% of qualified workers in Australia’s construction industry work for themselves.
So what are you waiting for? If you’re ready to explore a career that offers fantastic opportunities, variety, pay and lifestyle benefits, head to www.careergate.org.au to start exploring career pathways and even applying for vacancies in your area.
