Blog: Reskilling for a New Career Made Possible Thanks to the Flexibility of VET
Written by Cara Jenkin
More than a million Australians are taking their first steps towards a complete career change through vocational education and training as they decide to pursue their real passion or gain the skills for more secure work.
The Covid-19 pandemic caused many people to reconsider what they value most in their lives and for 51% of Australians, a new work/life balance, job, industry or career was high on their to-do list.
Latest National Centre for Vocational Education Research figures show more than 1.5 million people in 2022 did not let this desire languish as an unfulfilled dream but took action, studying at least one vocational education and training (VET) subject specifically to get the skills they needed to move into a different career.
Federal Government figures show only about one-fifth (22%) of students who are undertaking vocational education and training are studying full time, so the vast majority are finding they can reskill and upskill while still working in their existing job or fit it in beside other lifestyle requirements.
That is what Kathleen Rodda, 31, did to make the transition out of hairdressing.
She took one day off a week from work to study on campus, then found an online training provider, to complete her a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, Diploma of Training Design and Development and Diploma of Vocational Education and Training.
She now works for the South Australian Skills Commission, helping others to make the changes they want to improve their lives and their careers.
“(VET) is always flexible, there’s an answer for everyone,” she says.
“I found an online provider who was very happy to work within my schedule and work within that.
“I love what I’m doing now, having the time and the ability to create something and create a program that’s going to help people and help them get the recognition for their skills and help them with their training, it’s amazing.”
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Like many teenagers, Kathleen had no idea what she wanted to do for a career when she was growing up.
She had dropped out of school and was working in a café when someone suggested she get into hairdressing, as it was a personal interest.
But 10 years later, a car accident forced her turn away from full-time hairdressing and caused her to refocus on what she truly wanted to do.
“Life points you where you need to go,” she says.
“I’m a big believer in everything happens for a reason.”
She again looked to vocational education and training to give her the skills and was fascinated by how much she enjoyed it.
“At the end of the day, without vocational education, I wouldn’t know where I would be,” she says.
“I left school thinking I would never learn, I would never enjoy learning and (now) I know that’s not true, I love learning.
“I love being creative and I love making sure that other people love learning and at the end of the day, all those little incidences in life led me to where I am now and having access to vocational education made that happen.”
Many career changers are going all in, however, by leaving their jobs to pursue full-time training via apprenticeships and traineeships.
While the stereotypical apprentice and trainee is perceived as a school leaver, the Federal Government statistics show that is not the case.
Most apprentices and trainees (35%) have long left school behind them and are aged between 25 and 49. Another 31% are aged between 20 and 24. A further 5%, meanwhile, are at the end of their careers, aged 50 years and over.
In fact, less than a third (29%) of apprentices and trainees in training can be classified as school leavers or under the age of 19.
Regardless of whether workers want to study while working or commit full time to a new career, an OECD report highlights the importance for mid-career adults to seek career guidance to help them to pursue appropriate training.
It finds mid-career individuals – adults who have been in the labour market for at least 10 years and have at least 10 years before retirement – are heavily affected by changes in the labour market so can stand to benefit from career counsellors and advisors who can identify suitable retraining and upskilling opportunities.
Currently 37% of mid-career individuals who speak to a career guidance advisor do so to get help choosing study or training pathways while 32% because they want advice about changing their job.
“Effective career guidance for mid-career adults takes into account skills acquired through informal learning over many years of work experience,” the report states.
“It helps them to make these informally acquired skills visible, identifies their transferable skills, maps skills gaps and creates clear career and training pathways.”
Kathleen knows VET provided the right pathway for her.
“For every aspect of my life, VET has been there. It was something that I was able to go straight into after school (to become a hairdresser) and every facet of my life I’ve had to change, it’s been there and it’s been really flexible in the process,” she says.
TAKE THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS A CAREER CHANGE VIA YOURCAREER’S ONLINE QUIZ
Cara Jenkin is a freelance journalist with more than 20 years’ experience working in the print, digital and television media. It included 10 years as the editor of NewsCorp’s Careers employment section, covering topics ranging from education and training to workplace career advice.