Uni is one option, but it’s not the only option to get career ready. Whether you’re a school leaver or a career changer, a vocational education can be transformative. This National Skills Week, explore all your options!
When people think about career pathways, university is often top of mind. But as inspiring stories from National Skills Week’s Canberra launch show, vocational education and training (VET) can be just as life-changing, and often more flexible for people at any stage of career development. Whether you’re a student, parent or teacher, there was a message from this event for you.
Casey Fox shared how VET gave her a second chance. After leaving a well-established leadership role to care for premature twins, she found herself unemployed and uncertain when the COVID pandemic hit.
Then, Casey boldly returned to the classroom. “I walked into my community college as a 40-year-old stay-at-home mum,” says Casey. “Within 12 months, I had three new qualifications and a renewed sense of purpose.” Today, she’s a trainer, assessor and advocate for the power of vocational learning.
Her story highlights what many may not realise. VET is a viable pathway for people of all ages, and all stages. From trades and construction to fashion, design and technology, vocational education offers hands-on training and nationally recognised qualifications that match real industry demand.
National Skills Week chair and CEO Brian Wexham echoes this point, recalling a mother he met on a plane who insisted her six-year-old son should go to university, despite his (current) dream of becoming a builder. “There are lots of options available that they should be looking at,” says Brian. “What it does is illustrate the challenge we have when it comes to parents and their aspirations.”
For teachers and parents, this means National Skills Week encourages potential students to explore all their options. With critical shortages in industries such as healthcare, cybersecurity, aged care and construction, VET graduates are in high demand!
