A recent study asking over 1,000 parents whether they would promote trade career pathways over a university degree found that 60 per cent would recommend a trade qualification to their children.
Parents reported the benefits of a trade qualification meant their children could work for themselves, they would earn while they learnt, and their skills would be more in demand than a professional job.
This work, commissioned by the Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce and undertaken by research firm Fifth Quadrant, measured parents’ sentiment – current and post-COVID – towards promoting trade career pathways to their children.
“This was well worth the exploration given many tradespeople kept working during COVID, even though it may have been with some restrictions,” VACC CEO Geoff Gwilym said.
“We wanted to see if being able to work raised the profile of trade jobs in parents’ minds.”
The survey found 18 per cent of university-educated parents were now more likely to recommend a career in trades post the COVID pandemic. This compares with 10 per cent of trade or TAFE-qualified parents. Overall, 14 per cent of all parents surveyed were more likely to recommend studying at university post-COVID, whereas 13 per cent were more likely to recommend enrolling in a trade qualification.
These post-COVID sentiments highlight the lack of some university qualifications’ value and that living pressures have forced parents to reevaluate their children’s education.
“We know that post COVID – in an environment of almost full employment – many school leavers have jumped into the employment market with little or no training,” Mr Gwilym said.
Job satisfaction and financial stability were the survey’s two front runners, while earning while their children worked was important for parents who had a TAFE or trade qualification.
“There is still a strong correlation between the learning pathways of parents and what they promote to their children. However, it appears parents will consider trade studies given the employment options and work flexibilities they offer,” Mr Gwilym said.
Read the report here: VACC Trade Pathways Research