Vocational Education vs University?

By in University & College

Many young people in Australia have been told by their parents and teachers that they need to get a university degree to earn more money and to have better lives. However, vocational education and training or technical and further education might be a better choice for people whose goals are to find jobs quickly and to earn a good living after they complete their education. VET graduates from schools that are members of the International Association of Private Career Colleges have to spend less money and time obtaining their certifications and qualifications, and they earn higher salaries than students who choose to attend universities.

According to the International Association of Private Career Colleges (IAPCC), there is a strong demand in Australia for the skills that people learn in VET. Vocational education students can earn diplomas, advanced diplomas, and certificates III and IV that can demonstrate that they have the types of skills that are needed by businesses throughout the country.

Currently, there is a shortage in numerous jobs that require skilled employees, including plumbers, carpenters, bakers, bricklayers, and other jobs that require practical skills. The community service and health care sectors are likewise facing shortages that can be filled through VET programs. When people choose to pursue careers that are in high demand, they are rewarded with better benefits and salaries as businesses compete with each other to attract and retain them as their employees.

VET and TAFE vs. university

Pursuing qualifications through the VET and TAFE sector takes six months to two years to finish. By contrast, students who attend universities to pursue university degrees will have to attend for at least three years on a full-time basis. Obtaining a Bachelor’s degree often costs more than $30,000. By contrast, VET and TAFE qualifications are significantly less expensive. The fees for students who are subsidized by the government who attend VET or TAFE are significantly reduced. Finally, students who pursue qualifications in educational areas that have skill shortages are eligible for their TAFE courses to be offered to them for free.

While university education is a good choice for people who want to learn and to become more knowledgeable, it is not the right choice for everyone. The job prospects for people will not be determined only by whether they completed university or VET. Instead, they will depend on the degree or qualification that they have earned. Pursuing a qualification in health or IT will always lead to better employment prospects than fields that have a lower demand.

While the traditional path of going from high school to the university and then on to a career used to be the best choice, it is no longer the best strategy for getting a good career. People who are interested in graduating with skills that they can immediately put into practice in their new jobs might be better off choosing to pursue VET qualifications.

Importance of obtaining skills that make people ready for jobs

In 2019, attending university no longer guarantees that people will land good jobs paying decent incomes. Attending a university will not equip people with skills that they can immediately apply to their new jobs upon graduation. After people graduate from university, they may spend a couple of years trying to find their first full-time jobs. Immediately after graduating, however, VET and TAFE students are paid more than university graduates and can find jobs in their chosen fields much faster.

Degrees and qualifications that are in the most demand

Over the next five years through 2023, the Australian Department of Education projects that a majority of jobs will require post-secondary qualifications. Seven of the 10 occupations that are growing the fastest require VET or TAFE qualifications such as certificates or diplomas. It might make the most sense to think about the most employable diplomas through member schools of the IAPCC instead of degrees. The industries in Australia that are expected to experience the largest growth in jobs through 2023 include the following:

  • Building and construction industry with projected growth of 39,000
  • Adult and community education with an expected growth of 40,000
  • Computer system design with an expected growth of 54,000
  • Preschool education with an expected growth of 57,000
  • Public administration with an expected growth of 64,000
  • Social services with an expected growth of 66,000
  • Professional, technical, and scientific services with an expected growth of 72,000
  • Construction services with an expected growth of 77,000
  • Food and beverage services with an expected growth of 91,000
  • Medical and healthcare services with an expected growth of 6,000

The types of jobs that are expected to be in the greatest demand include the following:

  • Education aides
  • General sales assistants
  • Child care staff
  • Registered nurses
  • Aged and disabled care providers
  • General practitioners and resident medical officers
  • Advertising, sales, and public relations managers
  • Applications and software programmers

The cost of VET or TAFE vs. university

HELP debts have been increasing, leading many students to reconsider attending university. VET and TAFE courses cost much less than attending university courses, allowing graduates to avoid taking on too much debt. The average HELP debt held by Australian university graduates is $21,557. Since 2018, debts of more than $50,000 have increased by 30%. Currently, debts of more than $100,000 have risen by nine times over the last decade.

People who are government-subsidized students can expect to pay a few hundred to a few thousand dollars for TAFE or VET courses, depending on the specific field that they pursue. In 2018, Victoria introduced free TAFE. This means that people who meet the qualifications may not have to pay out of pocket for their TAFE courses. Courses that are in skill shortage areas are subsidized fully by the government. This means that people who choose courses in these skill shortage areas will not have to pay anything and will not have to worry about repaying any HELP debt after they graduate.

Courses that are eligible for the full government subsidy because they are in skill shortage areas include the following:

  • Accounting
  • Agriculture
  • Automotive
  • Aged care and disability care support
  • Building and construction
  • Food services
  • Hairdressing
  • Nursing
  • Signage and graphics

Many people do better when they learn practical skills to use on the job rather than trying to learn in the traditional classroom environment. Pursuing VET qualifications at one of member institutions of the International Association of Private Career Colleges might be a better option for people who want to find great careers. VET qualifications can place people on the path to earn great incomes and to be more employable.