VET - TAFE & Apprenticeships

Uni isn't for everyone. The good news is that there are plenty of learning opportunities outside of university for students to consider.

Vocational Education and Training (VET) covers the different pathways that can help you get skilled up for a range of industries and careers without university.

TAFE, Registered Training Organisations (RTO) and apprenticeships fall under the VET banner. TAFE, for instance, is where you can get certificates and diplomas (which can also help you to cross over to university, but also skill you up for particular vocations). RTOs are Registered Training Organisations that also offer certificates and diplomas. And then there are apprenticeships, which offer you hands-on experience in your chosen profession.

There are a lot of benefits to these options. For instance, there are certain jobs for which you'll require a certificate or diploma not available at university, and this might be the only way to learn about — and get qualified for — certain trades. That's not just limited to plumbing or electrical work: A trade is something that requires special training. So, it might be hairstyling and beauty you want to get qualified for, or something technological, such as IT, or even nursing.

As with uni, you'll get to work with experts who've been professionally practicing out in the wild. In fact, with apprenticeships, you'll get on the job training alongside those practicing professionals. You'll also get to earn while you learn, taking home a payday for your study.

Certificates and diplomas usually take between one to three years, meaning you can enter the workforce sooner, if that's what you're hoping to do.

These study options are also slightly cheaper than those at universities. HELP is still available, mostly, but be wary as some courses require up-front payment.

If you're still not sure what job you want after you've finished school, you need to consider that TAFEs, RTOs and apprenticeships train you for very specific trades; you might not want to rush into a course straight away, unless you think that's the trade for you.

Browse Australia's directory of training courses here.