Millenial students are dropping out of trades courses as they hope to land a ‘trendy job’ flying drones or working as personal trainers
- Sydney students are opting for courses that have poor employment prospects
- Enrollments in auto repair, cabinetmaking and metal fabrication dropped
- Businesses already import foreigners to do the work in certain industries
- A decline in enrollment in VET courses is being blamed on teachers and parents
There has been a drastic increase in students dropping out of trades courses as they hope to get a ‘trendy job’ instead.
With more Sydney students opting for courses which have poor employment prospects such as ‘fitness, outdoor recreation and flying drones’ fears have been raised that it may lead to a skills crisis.
Courses in auto repair, cabinetmaking and metal fabrication have seen a 28 per cent drop in enrollments – an overall 42 per cent drop in just two years.
Businesses already import foreigners to do the work and the lower enrollments leading the way to a ‘skills crisis’.
Sydney students are opting for courses which have poor employment prospects such as ‘fitness, outdoor recreation and flying drones’ (stock)
Last year just under half as many students enrolled in hairdressing and furnishing courses compared to 2016.
NSW Business Chamber CEO Stephen Cartwright said growth in certain jobs within the next five years are already experiencing skill shortages.
‘Most of the occupations identified are already experiencing a skills shortage, are difficult to recruit into and are forecast for significant growth over the next five years,’ he told The Daily Telegraph.
TAFE also reported 40,000 fewer enrollments last year.
Last year just under half as many students enrolled in hairdressing (stock image)
Parents and teachers are blamed for warning students off VET courses as below a university degree rather than the same
He also noted a ‘major concern’ in students not opting for vocational education and training (VET) courses.
‘The reduction in the number of students doing a VET qualification while they are still at school is a major concern,’ he said.
‘Students are being discouraged from doing a VET qualification by their school or by parents who have negative perceptions of VET and consider it as being lower than a university degree rather than as an equal alternative.’
He blamed parents and teachers for warning students off VET courses as below a university degree rather than the same.
The NSW curriculum is currently being looked over to note changes which would help students opt for courses with opportunities and VET courses.