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Question and AnswersWho is this website for?This website is for Year 12 students finishing their formal studies in 2004 who are thinking about their post-school study options for next year ...and for families interested in exploring the education and training choices available for students when they finish their schooling. What does this website do?The aim of the website is to give up-to-date and full information to Year 12 school leavers so that they are well informed about all the post-school study options open to them. The Year 12 - what next? website leads in to a wide range of more detailed information about employment, courses and other opportunities. How to use this website?The website consists of a home page which links to separate pages on:
Under each of these headings, pop-up options provide more detailed information. The separate topics are complementary and appear in a logical order. They can however be viewed independently of each other, in any order. Navigating Year 12 - what next? is easy. At all times, you have full access to every page on the website. When in a topic, the coloured tabs across the top of the page provide links to all the main sections of this website. The lower menu provides quick links to other websites as well as a download of the Year 12 - what next? guide. A word or phrase that is underlined indicates a hyperlink. To get back to the home page at any time, click the link on the bottom-right corner. Why do I need further education and training?By completing Year 12, you have given yourself the best possible foundation for success in the future. Further education and training opportunities will build on this investment to allow you to prosper and develop your working life. There is a strong link between further education and training and your chances of finding the job you want. Increasingly, your chances of finding the job that interests you will depend on the education and training choices you make today. Further study can increase your skills and make you more employable, more confident and better able to take on greater responsibility and higher paid work. The higher your education level, the more satisfied and positive you are likely to be in your work. Research shows that even when you take into account the cost of post-school study and the earnings you forego while studying, you come out ahead in the long run. “Education and training pays off” outlines the benefits and costs associated with post-school study. What do I need to think about for next year?Before you start making decisions about next year, it’s a good idea to think about what you’re good at, what you enjoy doing and what you want to achieve. Work out also what kind of job you want and what skills and training you need and then look for the best course or qualification to get you there. There are many different qualifications and skills available through post-school education and training. Talk to people about what you might do and gather information about the world of work, about post-school study and about other opportunities. “Getting started” and the other topics will provide you with some great starting points. Where are the most promising fields of employment?Before you decide on what education and training you will do next year, it is worth looking at tomorrow’s job prospects. What is the future of the work you are interested in? Will there always be a need for it? Are employers hiring in that field? Look at what is happening in the fast-growth industries before making your choice. In every part of Australia there are jobs in these industries for people with a wide range of education and training. Knowing about the changing world of work is an important step in deciding on the education and training you need. “Future work opportunities” gives you information about areas of employment growth, skills shortages and future job opportunities. What are my post-school study options?For Year 12 school leavers, post-school study generally means vocational education and training (VET) or university. People tend to know more about university courses than they do about VET although in most fields of study you’ll find both university and VET courses to choose from. Traditionally, VET delivers education and training more closely linked to the needs of work while the primary focus for higher education has been the pursuit, preservation and transmission of knowledge. Post-school study is an option for everyone. Choosing the best of these options for you involves making the link between study opportunities and the kind of work you would like to do. “Post-school education and training” gives you more information on study options available through VET and university. What is VTE?The main difference between vocational and technical education (VTE) studies and university is that vocational institutions are generally more closely linked to the needs of business and industry. This means most courses are very practical and based on skills you will need at work. VTE is the largest provider of post-secondary education and training in Australia. VTE courses are provided at Technical and Further Education (TAFE) colleges or institutes of technology, which are government funded, or at private training institutions. Many VTE institutions have links with universities, and VTE qualifications can provide the foundation for progressing to higher level diploma and degree courses. “Post-school education and training” gives you information on study options available through VTE, as well as university. How do I find the course I want to study?Finding the right course to study can be hard. You need to weigh up many factors: what do you want to study? where do you want to study? what level qualification do you want (eg certificate, diploma, degree)? what are the institution’s entrance requirements? do you have the prerequisites? do you want to study full time or part time? what do you want to do after post-school study? The most important consideration is to do the kind of course that interests you. It is much easier to complete a course successfully if it is something you enjoy. In Australia, you have many course options, great flexibility and lots of different ways to fulfil your ambitions. Each institution is unique and you need to find the one that best suits your own needs. As there are heaps of different courses out there, and the choice is a personal one, you will need to do your own research. “Post-school education and training” provides information and pointers to help you find the best course to suit your needs. What other opportunities are there?You may feel that after Year 12, you have had enough of full-time study for a while. There are many opportunities to combine work, training, and earning money at the same time. Perhaps the best known of these is with a New Apprenticeship. “Work while you learn” gives you information on what other options are available for you to learn and gain experience and for personal development if you decide not to pursue full-time study next year. Is there help if I need it?A range of assistance and support is available at both the point of entry to a course and once you’ve embarked on it. There are a number of programs and services designed to make access to further education and training easier for school leavers who live in the country, Indigenous students or young people whose family or personal circumstances would otherwise make it too difficult to pursue such studies. There are also a number of ways to subsidise further studies with scholarships, cadetships or loans and by undertaking part-time or vacation work. “Education and training pays off” provides information about assistance and support services available. |
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