Sparks flare at the Australian Trade College North Brisbane as students fabricate a brighter future. Chefs are steaming with career options, electricians are wiring up new pathways and mechanics are wrenching their way on the fast track for success. Amidst a worldwide trade skills shortage these young tradespeople of tomorrow are on their way to bridging the Skills Gap while preparing their passport to a global career.

Australian students are currently benefitting from this great concept in vocational education since the College’s establishment in 2006. The next step has been taken and the College is opening its doors for the delivery of its courses to international students. Students wishing to study abroad have a wide variety of choices; however before applying for a course some important decisions regarding future studies must be made. Finding the right career can be a hard choice and sometimes qualifications don’t always lead to employment.

Explore some historical facts as well as information about how the Australian Trade College could be a perfect choice. Historical Skills Shortage Over the past decade, research has revealed a steady erosion of skills amongst people working in various industries, professions and businesses. In 2006 the Western world’s oldest post war baby boomers turned 60 and consequently the biggest wave of workforce retirements left western nations worse off than other nations for skills demand. To add to this aging workforce, a depletion of youngsters entering various trades has left shortages in industries across the world. This has now created a skills gap. As an example 47% of Australian Bricklayers are over the age of 40 and 24% over 50, indicating that in 25 years or less 71% of the current qualified bricklayers will retire. The shortage is greatest for professionals in the building and engineering, computing/IT and health sectors, while demand is surpassing supply for jobs for chefs, metal workers and wood workers/cabinet makers. Benefits of vocational qualifications in the current economy The many benefits being experienced by tradespeople include high wages; it is not unusual for people to earn $40,000, $50,000 and $60,000 fairly early in their careers, depending on the trade. The demand for tradespeople has meant their value to employers and industry has increased comparatively.

Employers value employability skills in preference to qualifications alone. People must complete education with the skills that businesses need as qualifications become ineffective if they don’t lead to securing a job. Vocational education delivers working scenarios, hands-on practicality and experience with employers. Learning the job by doing the job is the employer’s preference, positioning people to gain employment when study is completed.

A vocational qualification also creates the possibility of international travel or perhaps immigration. The sky is the limit to where employment might be found. Specialising in trade and technical study as well as offering Business and IT, the College was established in 2006 by the Australian government as a response to an identified industry-specific skills shortage. The College, including subsidiary, Australian Trade Training College is on the way to bridging the gap between the collective knowledge of a disappearing generation of tradespeople and youth entering the workforce. As a fully accredited Vocational Education and Training (VET) institute known as a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) in Australia, the College is responsible for delivering Nationally Recognised Training qualifications under industry standards. This means students at the College are being prepared for the ‘real’ world of work. Subject to completing their relevant studies at the College and having completed designated hours in on-the-job training, students may have the skills required to enter trade or technical areas. With best practice curriculum delivery and industry-standard state-of-the art facilities, the College and its students are winning awards and accolades across both business and education sectors.

It is the unique combination of effective leadership, teachers, trade trainers supported with input from industry and the community that is contributing to this success and growth of the College. Senior secondary students can complete Years 11 and 12 which can lead to securing a Queensland Certificate of Education while specialising in a trade (if all criteria are met). This can provide students with the pathway to completion of the vocational education or to tertiary education qualification. Post-secondary students can complete a Diploma or Certificate III in Business or IT, or can study a technical trade at a Certificate III level which may lead to a career as an Automotive Mechanic, Commercial Cook – Chef, Cabinet Maker, Carpenter, Electrician, Metal and Engineering – Fabricator or Fitter.

Pathways - The practical emphasis of the College curriculum is creating better job prospects and experience for our students; however, the qualifications also lead to further study opportunities in University. Our qualifications provide entrance requirements to various university courses (course dependent). A tradesperson may head into further studies in Project Management or Engineering and Business and IT graduates can pursue degrees in their relevant or specialised fields. In a worldwide skilled tradesperson shortage crisis, becoming trade qualified is a student’s true passport to acquiring skills for their future career.

Students should act now and finish their education with skills that lead to diverse employment opportunities. Enrol at the College today. Whilst the College is unable to guarantee jobs it can provide quality education and training to set an international student on the pathway to achieving their goals.

For more information and a full list of all the programs available visit the website at www.tradecollege.com.au or email admissions at or phone +61 7 3414 5960.