Recent year 12 graduates Alex Lavis, Rebecca Upton and Brock Bruce all decided against going to university, instead opting for a more hands on approach to learning.
Alex, Rebecca and Brock are part of a nationwide apprenticeship boom with many young people taking advantage of government training programs to help ease the skilled labour shortage.
Hopefield local Alex Lavis is now in his fourth week at Uncle Tobys as an apprentice fitter and turner learning from highly experienced mentors at the Wahgunyah factory.
Through the four-year apprenticeship, which includes unit block training at TAFE, Alex will learn how to manufacture and construct components for machinery and use power operated tools such as lathes, milling and drilling machines as well as maintain and repair many kinds of machines.
“I did a metals and engineering course through TAFE at school which got me interested in the industry. My brother also did the same apprenticeship,” the 18-year-old said.
“I’m enjoying every moment. I get to work with some great people. All the boys there have been great with me and are teaching me very useful skills.
“I’m also fortunate to know a fair few of the workers through footy, school and friends’ parents which has made it easier.”
For Rebecca Upton, becoming an apprentice electrotechnology electrician was a last-minute decision after spending considerable time weighing up which career path she would take.
“I did work experience in year 10 and I guess it was the only thing that really stuck with me,” she said.
“I thought why not give it a go. I have loved every minute of it so far.”
Rebecca said a big part of her decision came down to being able to work outdoors and earn an income immediately.
“Going to university, sitting in a classroom for four years and then putting those skills into practice didn’t appeal to me,” she said.
“We get to learn from our work colleagues and teachers which seems much more beneficial.”
Rebecca started her apprenticeship in September with local business Symmetrix Electric after Year 12 exams were pushed back to later in the year.
“The team is awesome. They are really supportive, especially because I’m the only girl,” she said.
“Obviously it’s a male dominated industry, but the boys have been very patient with me. Even though I can’t do much yet, I’m always around watching, asking questions and seeing what’s going on. It’s been really great so far.”
Rebecca said some people had been really surprised by her career choice.
“My dad is an engineer, so when I told him that I wanted to be a sparky he was very happy. He and mum have been my number one supporter,” she said.
Eighteen-year-old Brock Bruce snapped up a Parks and Garden apprenticeship with Federation Council after completing Year 12 last year. Now just four weeks into the job, Brock said he was “enjoying every moment.”
“I’m loving it. Being able to work outdoors and travel throughout the shire up to Mulwala, across to Howlong and Balldale is pretty cool,” he said.
“The work involves mowing lawns, parks and garden maintenance and weed and pest control. For me it’s a lot better than working at desk.
“We follow a timesheet and have specific days for each town, so every day is bit different.
“I have already learnt a lot in a short period of time. It’s been really great and it’s definitely something I want to continue.”
Alex, Rebecca and Brock aren’t the only students ditching university for a trade. A recent report from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) shows apprentice and trainee commencements grew nationally to 47 785 (or by 114.0%) in the June quarter 2021 compared with the same quarter in 2020.
“Annual apprentice and trainee commencements are at their highest level since the year ending June 2014. Numbers increased in all states and territories and across nearly all industry sectors,” NCVER Managing Director Simon Walker said.
The rise in the June quarter continues the trend from the previous two quarters in which commencements increased by 40 per cent from the March quarter 2020 to 2021 and by 150.0 per cent from the December quarter 2019 to 2020.
The increase in the June quarter was reported across nearly all industry sectors, with the largest absolute increases occurring in construction (96.0%), administrative and support services (294.0%) and accommodation (up 2995 or 110.4%).
