The CEO of RDA Orana has made it clear she thinks our community has got it one wrong on one thing – that degrees are better than trades.

"One of the biggest issues is the perception of the community that the degree is a better outcome for a child. Yet what a data tells us is that a trade or a traineeship is far better and can result in an accelerated outcome than a degree," Megan Dixon CEO and Director of Regional Development at RDA Orana told the Western Plains App.

"One of the things that parents grapple with is the idea that their children are not as successful as those with a degree. So there is this self-pressure or community pressure that a trade is a lesser outcome than a degree, but the evidence does not back this".

Dixon said there is huge demand for trades and big incentives for employers to take on apprentices, and that people who take on trades are better off, particularly in the short-term than those who embark in professions.

"For example, I know an architect who went to University and studied architecture for three years, then they had to do another years as a masters and then another year to get qualified. He comes out as a draftsperson. 

"There are cadetships available for person as a draftsperson who do their training online through TAFE. So at the end of their three years of their cadetship. 

"They have no debt, they have been paid the whole time, employers tell us they prefer the on the job training," she told the Western Plains App. 

"There are tremendous opportunities in any trade from boiler-making to building, there is huge demand for labour in many areas. 

"85% of apprentices will end up in employment and we know this employment will see them eventually earning a six figure sum. They will come up on top compared to people who have been to Uni, especially in the short term".

Megan Dixon, Image: RDA Orana.

Aside from the huge work opportunities, in her recent column for the RDA Dixon outlines a number of other benefits from pursuing a trainee or apprenticeship pathway, including:

1. no HECS debt
2. being paid, while you learn
3. employability skyrockets (85% who complete achieving employment)
4. building out a professional network
5. building confidence
6. financial position upon completion: it's been reported that apprentices are up to $200,000 better off than their university counterparts.

In January the Federal Government revealed the number of occupations covered by the Australian Apprenticeship Priority List has been expanded from 77 to 111, as part of the Australian Apprenticeship Incentive System. 

This increased of occupations eligible for additional support, including up to $5,000 in direct payments to apprentices, and a wage subsidy of up to $15,000 for employers.

In announcing the incentive, Minister for Skills and Training, the Hon Brendan O’Connor MP, said widespread skill shortages pose one of the greatest economic challenges in decades.

“Wherever you look, there are skills gaps, with the latest analysis showing 47 per cent of trade and technician occupations are in shortage, up from 42 per cent in 2021,” Minister O’Connor said.

The argument put forward by Megan Dixon does not dismiss the need for finishing secondary school and doing further study.

 "We put a very strong emphasis on the issue of education. I think that if you have an education you can head out of middle class into a higher income bracket. 

"One of the other feedbacks we get from the system is that the way that career days are structured at school is mainly represented by universities who are selling their wares." 

"What we see is that employers are too busy being employers who are under-represented at career days," says Megan Dixon. "So the information parents are getting are often just from Universities and professions rather than trades."