The recent rise in HECS fees for university students in Australia has some considering giving up their degrees and seeking out alternative study and career options.
Trades are a popular option for young Australians as they consider leaving university early. There are many options for apprentices in industries such as construction, and hospitality.
Many former university students who leave and enrol in a trade college for example TAFE, say that they have better finances and more savings in the bank as The Federal Government has recently made all trade education free for Australians in public institutions that offer these courses.
Wollongong electrical apprentice Drew Singleton left university to complete a trade and encourages others who can’t afford university tuition to do the same.
“I went to university for one year and I realised that it didn’t have a guaranteed job at the end, I did a year of that and realised I can’t justify putting myself in debt with no guaranteed job in the end.
“I decided that I would go and get some life experience and be a labourer on a cattle station for a bit, that really gave me the chance to figure out what I wanted to do and best the road forward for myself and my boss at the time was the one who said ‘hey mate go and get a trade do it before you get too old because you could potently live a life without a qualification’.”
Chart Credit: Cooper Evans
The chart above reveals the type of trade that university leavers choose, before completing their bachelor’s degree. The rate of those who do complete university but do not use their qualification has decreased, while people working in trades without degrees has increased.