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This article was originally published by VERTO and republished here with permission.

Making a decision on your future can feel pretty daunting. Many of your friends might be set on what they want to do, but if you come from a different mould, it can feel like the usual options just don’t fit. If you’re ready to think outside the box, a trade career might be for you. Here are five reasons to consider an apprenticeship after your HSC. 

#1 Start working and earning straight away 

If you are ready to get out from behind the desk and enter the world of work, an apprenticeship can be a great option. You’ll earn while you learn, working and studying simultaneously, so you start building real-world skills and getting paid from the beginning. 

#2 Excellent career opportunities and fantastic pay 

Many of our trades are facing skill shortages, meaning they need more qualified people desperately. By choosing a trade today, you’ll be building a career in a space with a ton of job opportunities and excellent wage growth, so you’re guaranteed a bright future. In fact, some tradies today are better paid than Australian graduates.

#3 Escape the 9-to-5 grind 

From the traffic to the long hours behind a desk, you’ve no doubt heard all about the nine-to-five grind, and if it’s just not for you, then a trade might be the answer. Working with your hands can be incredibly rewarding. As a tradie, you’ll build, create, design or fix something every day. And each day will be different – with a new set of challenges and opportunities and even new locations, so it’ll never get old.  

#4 Live and work where you want 

Qualified tradespeople are needed across the country, so you don’t have to live in a city, paying high rents for a tiny apartment. As a tradie, you can live and work where you want, whether it’s the city, the beach or the bush that is calling you. Even better, your qualification will be nationally recognised, so if life takes you across state borders, your career can follow. 

#5 Run your own show 

If you dream of one day being the boss, a trade is a fantastic gateway. Many tradespeople go on to run their own businesses, whether working by themselves or employing a team. In fact, 35% of qualified workers in Australia’s construction industry work for themselves. 

So what are you waiting for? If you’re ready to explore a career that offers fantastic opportunities, variety, pay and lifestyle benefits, head to www.careergate.org.au to start exploring career pathways and even applying for vacancies in your area.

This article was originally published by VERTO and republished here with permission.

As you finish school, you’ve probably heard how ‘the world is at your feet’. In fact, you may be sick of hearing it, because working out what that means for you isn’t always easy. There’s a whole world of options out there, but all that choice can be pretty daunting! 

By completing your HSC at one of the most challenging points ever, you’ve already shown you’ve got the grit to tackle whatever’s next. You’ve done the hard yards, so now it’s time to pause and consider what kind of career will be right for you. Here are five reasons an apprenticeship might be the answer.

#1 You’re ready to think outside the box

If you’ve studied towards an ATAR, you might feel like you have to go to uni, but it’s not the only option, nor is it best suited to everyone. Your mates might already know what they want to do, and that’s great, but it’s okay if you’re still exploring options. It’s your future, and you want to get it right. You don’t have to be like everyone else. If university isn’t grabbing you, think outside the box and consider what an apprenticeship offers. 

#2 You want to follow your passions 

When we hear the word ‘apprenticeship’, we often think about the traditional trades, such as plumber, carpenter, and mechanic. And while there are some fantastic opportunities in these areas, apprenticeships have so much more to offer. In fact, there are over 500 apprenticeship and traineeship careers in everything from healthcare to engineering, traditional trades to hospitality and tourism. There really is something for everyone, whatever your passion. So, if you haven’t checked out your options, take a look – you might just be surprised. 

#3 You want a career with a bright future 

With the world so changed in the last two years, some certainty around your future is no doubt welcome! Many apprenticeship and traineeship careers are considered jobs of the future and/or are in industries facing skill shortages, so the future is bright. This means there is a ton of opportunities to find meaningful work and make your mark. 

#4 You want to start earning straight away 

If you want an opportunity to get out from behind the desk and into the workplace, an apprenticeship might be for you. It combines studies with work, meaning you start earning a wage and learning on the job from the get-go. In fact, vocational education and training graduates, like apprentices, find work faster and typically earn more in their first year than university graduates.

 #5 You’ve got that entrepreneurial flair 

An apprenticeship or traineeship can take you many places and be a fantastic gateway to owning your own business in the future. So, if you have that entrepreneurial spirit, embrace it with a career that could see you running your own show. 

Think an apprenticeship might be right for you? Check out our free career quiz at www.careergate.org.au. By answering a few quick questions about your interests and skills, you can get instant results on careers that match. Even better, you can start applying for vacancies in your area straight away.

This article was originally published by VERTO and republished here with permission.

Entering the world of work and choosing a career path can be a daunting transition. Alongside thinking about your interests and passions, it’s also helpful to know where the opportunities are. With so much uncertainty in the world today thanks to COVID-19, matching your passions to a career in a growing industry can give you some peace of mind. 

Here are three industries where opportunities abound, and some tips to determine whether they are right for you. 

Healthcare and community support  

From registered nurses to aged care and disability support workers, our healthcare and community support sector is in need of qualified workers. There is a diverse range of career opportunities on offer, and with demand growing, the outlook for jobs and potential for wage growth is excellent. 

If you have a passion for working with people, helping others, and want to have a positive impact on the community, this could be the industry for you. In these roles, every day will be different, with a variety of challenges and opportunities to change people’s lives for the better.

It’s not your traditional 9 to 5, and can suit those who don’t see themselves behind a desk. It also offers opportunities across the country, in cities and regions, giving you choice over where you live and work.

31% of roles in this industry require vocational education and training (VET) qualifications, so you don’t have to go to uni to get started. You can check out some great course options here. 

Accommodation and food services 

While this industry was hit hard by the pandemic, it’s back with a bang! Whether you see yourself running a hotel, cooking in a commercial kitchen or planning winning guest experiences, there are a broad range of careers in this growing industry.

They are suited to a wide variety of personalities, from those who like customer service and helping others to those with creative passions. It’s a great chance to live and work in interesting locations here or around the world, or even support your local industry. It can be a great gateway to running your own business too. 

You can even consider undertaking a traineeship in this industry that can see you getting started straight away, building your career and earning while you learn. 

Trades

Our traditional trade industries are facing a skills shortage right now, meaning Australia is in need of more qualified mechanics, electricians, plumbers and carpenters, to name just a few. With technology playing an increasingly important role in these industries, employers are looking for HSC graduates with an interest in science, technology, mathematics and engineering (STEM) subjects. 

With such significant demand, opportunities abound in these spaces, and can be worth a look, particularly if you are interested in a varied career, where no two days are the same. You’ll be rewarded by seeing what you have built, created, fixed or designed and you won’t be tied to a desk.

If this interests you, an apprenticeship can offer some fantastic benefits, and help you build a lifelong career you’ll love. You’ll earn while you learn, working towards nationally recognised qualifications that can take you anywhere you want to go. 

If you want to find out about more career paths that match your skills and interests, head to www.careergate.org.au and take our free, quick quiz. By answering a few simple questions about yourself, you’ll receive instant results on careers that may be suited to you and can even start applying for vacancies in your area straight away.

This article was originally published by VERTO and republished here with permission.

As life returns to some form of normality in the wake of lockdowns, many business owners are considering their staffing needs. Taking on an apprentice can be a great way to grow your business, building it from within while supporting the future of your industry. Here are five ways an apprentice can benefit your business.  

#1 Grow your business from within 

Many of our key trade industries are facing skill shortages, meaning it can be hard to find qualified talent. However, the good news is that there are many motivated job seekers out there right now, looking for a career start. 

By taking on an apprentice, you’ll be developing a motivated person who is keen to build a future in your industry. You can impart the skills and knowledge you’ve developed over your career to help someone get a start in theirs, shaping their skills to meet the needs of your growing business. 

#2 Gain new ideas and skills 

While an apprentice hasn’t yet learned the ropes in your industry, they will bring new ideas and innovations to your team. Today’s young people are ‘digital natives’ who’ve been using technology all their lives. With the increasing role of technology in all of our trades, they can bring a unique skill set to help you future-proof your business.  

#3 Hire from a motivated talent pool 

As the HSC comes to an end, many young people are looking to get a start in the workforce. There can be a misconception that HSC graduates don’t choose this path, but the reality is that around 6% will undertake an apprenticeship, equating to over 4,000 young people this year in NSW alone. 

By completing their HSC studies in one of the most challenging periods ever, this group has shown that they have the tenacity, resilience and drive to achieve whatever they put their mind to, making them a great addition to your business. 

#4 Access a range of incentives and subsidies 

With a range of government incentives currently available to employers, there’s never been a better time to consider an apprentice. Your business may be eligible for a range of financial supports, including significant wage subsidies, regional and rural incentives, ‘women in trades’ support, and additional assistance for roles on the National Skills Needs List.

Even better, VERTO can help you explore your eligibility and apply for relevant programs, ensuring you can easily access the right support, without the administrative headache. 

#5 Get support at every step  

When you hire an apprentice, you and your apprentice will be supported every step of the way. VERTO can match you with an apprentice that fits your needs and your culture, who will be a valuable investment for your business. Our support doesn’t stop once you find your apprentice either. We provide ongoing support to you and your apprentice, through to completion, so you don’t have to go it alone. 

Ready to take on an apprentice? Get in touch with VERTO on 1300 483 786 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to get started. We’ll support you from start to finish, making it simple to find and keep the right apprentice for your business.

This article was originally published by VERTO and reprinted here with permission. 

As your school life comes to an end, you might be thinking that you are ready to get out from behind the desk and start earning. The good news is that a gap year isn’t your only option. There is a way to do this while still building towards a lifelong career.  

The answer is an apprenticeship. While there is a common misconception that apprenticeships are for those who don’t make it into uni, the reality couldn’t be further from the truth. Apprenticeships offer a wide range of career options that can even see you earning more than university graduates on qualification. 

Whether you want a professional career as a business manager or IT expert, a role in hospitality, a trade, or even a creative career like wine or cake-making, an apprenticeship or traineeship has you covered.  There are over 500 apprenticeship and traineeship careers, so there really is something to match every passion. 

In addition, many of these careers are in growth industries that need more qualified staff, so employers are actively looking for people like you, who are ready to earn and learn! 

Even better, because you start working (and earning) from the outset, you won’t wait three or four years to find out whether you’ve made the right choice, like your university counterparts. You’ll complete your studies while learning on the job and gain a nationally recognised qualification that will set you up for life.  What’s more, you’ll learn from trainers who have real experience in your chosen industry, not from textbooks. 

If you are unsure what’s next but think earning while you learn might be for you, check out our free career quiz at www.careergate.org.au. Answer just a few easy questions about your interests and passions, and you’ll get instant results on careers that match. You can even get started applying for vacancies in your area straight away, so what are you waiting for? 

Originally published at https://www.verto.org.au/blog

As 2020 draws to a close, many of us are reflecting on what a difficult year it has been. We have all been challenged personally and/or professionally, and it’s certainly a time no one will forget in a hurry. For many people living in regional areas, COVID-19 followed drought, bushfires and/or floods, so there has been no respite.