The Turnbull government proposal to reduce the repayment threshold for university HECS debts has sparked discussion about other education and career paths for high school-leavers.

With the University of Wollongong enrolling more than 30,000 student, HECS debts is feared by many adolescents.

However, research by education information service The Good Information Group found there is no guarantee students will gain the standard of employment needed in to repay their HECS debts.

My Gateway employs apprentices and trainees, and places them with host businesses to gain training in their chosen field.

“We have a construction and building boom and there are plenty of jobs available so a young person can leave school and obtain a traineeship or apprenticeship and be paid while they are learning their trade,” My Gateway Board Director Denise McGrath said.