Getting students, parents, advisers and the general public to consider the trades as a worthwhile employment option remains a challenge for the industry.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
TAFE NSW Albury head teacher bricklaying Troy Everett said the number of young people choosing the skill-based careers was not keeping pace with the older tradespeople leaving the industry.
“There’s so many great young people that come here and have enriching and rewarding careers, we just need more of them,” he said.
“It doesn’t have to be straight into uni from school.
“Quite often you can be earning while you’re learning as well along the way, be in business for yourself sooner and that’s not to say you can’t still do the academic pathway down the track.
“It’s not a second choice career, it’s a viable first choice career.”
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
Mr Everett, who “first laid a brick around 1989”, will complete a five-week study tour in England next year after receiving a Premier’s Teacher Scholarship recently.
His research covers two areas he is passionate about, promoting skills excellence in training and increasing support for students who are weak in literacy and numeracy.
“Training organisations tend to be good at identifying certain issues but not so good at supporting, so I think we can improve in that area,” he said.
“That’s why I’m going to be looking at good practice over in the UK.
“I think with a globalised perspective, there’s a lot more sharing.
“Training knowledge and smart training structures are a hot commodity now.
“Countries like China, Brazil, India, Russia, they’ve got a thirst for knowledge and training and Australia’s got a great reputation.”
TAFE NSW regional general manager Kerry Penton said the Premier’s Teacher Scholarship was a wonderful achievement.
“Mr Everett is committed to his students and the scholarship will enable him to be at the forefront of new and better ways to teach, ultimately benefiting his staff,” Ms Penton said.
Mr Everett submitted his scholarship research proposal earlier this year and, “I tell you, it was one of the best phone calls I’ve got when they rang me back and said you’ve been successful”.
He noted a lack of tradespeople impacted the wider community as well.
“Frankly we do need people doing the work or else prices are going to go up, that’s a fairly simplistic view, but it’s an honest one,” Mr Everett said.
“It is hard work, I’m not going to kid you, but you’re outside, there’s a lot of variety, there’s good earning potential, there’s a raft of opportunities that you can take and head towards in your career.”
- Receive our daily newsletter straight to your inbox each morning from The Border Mail. Sign up here