Now that Leavers is officially over, it’s time to start thinking “what’s next?” We know how daunting it is to think about your future when you are anxiously waiting for your ATAR scores to be released. That’s why we have compiled this handy little guide to give you an idea on what options are out there so that you can make an informed decision. Here are some of the commonly taken paths after Year 12:
PURSUE HIGHER EDUCATION
If you thought going to university was your only option of pursuing higher education, think again. While there are some jobs which require a university degree, there are other jobs that value Vocational Education Training (VET) more. For example, if you are dreaming of becoming a doctor, going to university is clearly the right path for you. On the other hand, if you want to pursue a career in the trades, a VET course is the best option as you will gain hands-on experience while pursuing your qualification. The decision to go to university or TAFE depends on your career aspirations so do your research and don’t make decisions based on the myths and misconceptions you heard while growing up.
Did you know that you can get paid to learn? Yes, you read that right. By pursuing an apprenticeship or traineeship with a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) like Skill Hire, you get the best of everything; experience, income and a nationally recognised qualification. For more information on how to start an apprenticeship or traineeship, click here. With over 500 VET courses available in Australia, you can pursue any career you like. Not sure which career path to pursue? Check out the Top 10 Apprenticeships and Traineeships of 2019 to get an idea of what’s popular out there.
TAKE A GAP YEAR
If you want to take things real slow and not rush into a decision, perhaps a gap year might be the right pathway for you. You can use this time to do anything you like or not do anything at all. However, we do recommend you to maximise this time instead of wasting it. Many students who take a gap year utilise the time to travel, volunteer or take on casual work to earn some money. Although a gap has its benefits, there are disadvantages as well. For example, it’s expensive to do a gap year where you have running expenses and no income. If you do decide to take on casual work or odd-jobs, your employment options and earning potential is limited without a qualification. Furthermore, you will find yourself a year behind your school mates at the end of the gap year. Therefore, we advise you to discuss this as a pathway with your parents or guardian before embarking on this route.
JOIN THE WORKFORCE
If pursuing higher education doesn’t interest you or the idea of having to pay off a HECS debt for the next few years of your working career worries you, joining the workforce straight after Year 12 might be your calling. There are plenty of benefits to joining the workforce early on; you start earning money immediately, you gain real-life work experience earn on and you get a head start over your school mates on building your superannuation. On the downside, your career options will initially be limited without a qualification under your belt. While you work towards gaining experience, we recommend you to take on short course that runs only for a few days or weeks so that you receive training to be more employable. If you are interested in pursuing a career in hospitality or tourism, an Accredited Barista Training course will help you get your foot in the door. If a career in construction or mining interests you, undergoing training with Nara Training & Assessing to acquire commonly required tickets and licenses such as Working at Heights, Forklift, Confined Space, Elevated Work Platform (EWP) and Construction White Card will help you gain access to Western Australia’s booming construction and mining industries.
Regardless of what you choose to do after Year 12, it’s worth remembering that you are in control of your own future. If you end up going to university and it turns out to be the wrong path, you can pursue an apprenticeship instead. Likewise, if you enter the workforce straightaway, you can pursue a qualification as a mature-aged student at any time in your life. While you are still basking in the joy of Leavers celebrations, explore the different pages of our website to help you find the answer to your question of ‘what’s next?’
