:: You Only Get What You Pay For ::

[cousin_james]

I heard on JJJ News this morning that 40,000 students got accepted into university in Victoria this year.

Another 19,000 missed out......thats 1/3 of applicants.

You can stop wondering why there is a skills shortage.......

Comments

[kratzy]

The problem is that a lot of the skill shortages are in areas that are not acadamic, but more vocational in nature. So of those 60,000 how many in the past would have otherwise been doing trades, apprenticeships or vocational training? The biggest problem is that there is so much pressure placed on people to go to uni when there are so many other options.

[cousin_james]

I know thats a popular thought at the moment and one thats gotten a bit of attention in the media....but I think it's bollocks. From what I've seen, it's across the board, both academic and vocational. It's certainly both in construction, mining and the building industries.

[kratzy]

You are right, it completely depends on the industry. Health for example require more academic rather than vocational. However, for a majority of industries though it is the vocational aspect that is lacking. One method to address the skills shortage is to provide existing workers with career / skills pathways to enhance existing skills. It's popular thought at the moment because it is correct for a vast majority of industries. Have you tried to hire a trades person recently? Impossible.