(Uni degree – 5 minute read)
Hi accounting fans, we have another awesome contribution from our favorite Gen Z writer, Aimee Ng!
Hello! I’m Aimee (from www.libertasnz.com) and I’m back with another article for Gen Z. Today I’m going to be talking about vocational pathways and whether you need a university degree to succeed!
Do you need a uni degree to succeed?
Absolutely not! You definitely do not need a university degree to succeed.
It just depends the requirements of the industry you want to be in. Som jobs require a university qualification, some don’t. So for those who think that uni might not be the way to go, this article is for you!
How else can I start my career?
There are many ways to get your career started! You can start your own business, go to a polytechnic, or work your way up from the bottom in a big corporation (good luck with that!).
These are all valid options, but today I’m going to focus on apprenticeships and industry-based training.
What are apprenticeships and industry-based training?
Apprenticeships and industry-based training are the same. Your employer trains you on the job, whilst you learn and work towards becoming fully qualified. You can start an apprenticeship at the age of 16 in a range of industries including building, plumbing and agriculture (you can see the whole list here).
The training and assessment are fees free for the first 2 years of your training programme. Apart from these fees free years, the government currently has another programme in place called the Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund, which makes all apprenticeships free from 1 July 2020 until 31 December 2022. This initiative ends at the end of this year, so get in while you can!
Usually, apprenticeships and industry-based training take around 3-4 years, and another few years after that, you can be fully qualified! You could start your own tradie business and become your own boss! Now, that may sound like a long time, but throughout this time, you are actually working while you learn. So you will be making some money as well. Training usually takes around 3-4 years, it could take less time, depending on how quickly your employer can teach you and how quickly you can learn.
How do they compare to a uni degree?
University degrees and apprenticeships are both great ways to get your career started. It depends on your personal taste and the kind of future you envision for yourself. Remember to think about your financial goals!
University degrees are also eligible for fees free years, you are only able to get 1 year fees free, as opposed to the 2 years for industry-based training. University also tends to be more expensive, with costs ranging from around $6,000 to $10,000 per year. A degree also usually takes around 3-4 years to complete.
Apprenticeships do allow you to begin working and earning money at an earlier stage. However, this should not be the sole reason that you choose to go into industry-based training as a university degree may suit you and your career goals better.
There are still benefits to getting a university degree but this is not true for everyone. Depending on the industry you choose to go into, degrees such as law, engineering, IT, and healthcare, earn more money straight out of university.
With a degree, there is also usually more room for growth in your career. You also have the option to pursue further education and gain a masters or PhD.
I hope this article has helped you make an informed decision and has taught you about some vocational options that don’t require getting a university degree!