Myth : VET graduates earn considerably lower wages than university graduates.
Fact: The median full-time income for a VET graduate is $56,600. The median graduate salary for students completing a Bachelor degree is $61,000.
Myth: VET graduates struggle to find work.
Fact: The proportion of Bachelor degree graduates in full-time employment is currently at 72.9%. Comparatively, 77.3% of VET graduates are employed after training and 91.2% of graduates who participated in VET as part of an apprenticeship or traineeship are employed after training.
Myth: VET is a thing of the past.
Fact: According to the Australian Government Department of Jobs and Small Business, the VET sector currently provides training courses for 8 out of 10 occupations predicted to have the greatest growth of new jobs over the next 5 years. You can read the research findings in Australian Jobs 2019
In fact, what also surprises many parents and students is that in our new ATAR system, VET will continue as a Basis for Admission into University. All Queensland universities have now confirmed that they will have their own Institution Specific Schedule for VET as a basis for admission. Specific details of the requirements for entry with a VET qualification can be found at each of these University websites.
• Australian Catholic University
• Australian Maritime University
• Bond University
• Christian Heritage College
• CQ University
• Griffith College
• Griffith University (a completed Certificate III or IV qualification while at school will allow application to study a range of degrees – student must also have passed 4 semesters of English)
• James Cook University
• Queensland University of Technology (an ATAR plus a Certificate IV or a Diploma will be accepted for entry; however, students who did not obtain an ATAR can undertake further VET education after Year 12 and apply to QUT 2 years later)
• TAFE Qld (studying a particular Diploma or Associate Degree will automatically allow entry in an eligible dual-award bachelor degree at QUT*)
• The University of Queensland (VET qualifications are recognised from non-school leavers only*)
• University of the Sunshine Coast
• University of Southern Queensland
There are many pathways available to help a person achieve their goal, regardless of their stage in life. A VET pathway keeps all doors open, leading to both work and/or further education.
Please don’t hesitate to touch base with me to discuss this information in relation to your son’s journey at ATC.
Mrs Michelle Kath
Head of Senior Pathways & Careers
kathm@atc.qld.edu.au