Food for thought

28 June 2023

My main question for parents: Do the higher education fees that will be levied against your teens really add up?

This year a 9.1 per cent indexing was tossed at HELP/HECS debt, and, while higher than normal, these education debts lock young people even further out of using their take home pay to buy a house, a car, or just about anything.
  
Look around at the mechanic or chippy toiling away – most likely free of any training and education debts.
 
For many young people, apprenticeships are a fantastic career choice. Trade apprentices get paid while they learn and graduate with transferable skills that are at little risk of becoming obsolete.

That’s a great thing to rely upon, especially in times like these.

On top of that, skilled labour constraints have seen wages go up for many trades and automotive has more vehicles lined up for repair and service than ever.

For the record, all apprenticeships have a job entry point and a job destination. It’s the best training model in the world. 

And it’s not just about the parents either. Business owners should liaise with local schools and apprentice networks, including TACC Automotive Apprenticeships, in a bid to employ and foster an apprentice. Teachers can also help by promoting trades to young people.

We know it’s a great achievement to see our graduating university students succeed but it’s even more satisfying knowing our young adults are not debt-locked and are able to apply good old-fashioned trade skills for money that stays in their pockets.  

Be proud to have a tradie around, they may even fix something for you.

Words: TACC State Manager Bruce McIntosh. As featured in the Mercury 30 June 2023.