How do you learn what is needed for a successful career, without taking on a massive student debt burden that hangs over you for decades?

Young people, and adult career changers are increasingly faced with this dilemma.

Society seems to be telling them that without training and education, they just can't follow the career path they want; but to follow that path could result in both loss of income while they train, and a student debt running into tens of thousands of dollars; which could cripple any chance of a prosperous life for decades into the future.

Mainstream vocational education appears to have become unaffordable, inaccessible, or both?

1. A newspaper reported (Sydney, March 26) that people are dropping out of apprenticeships to pursue better paying work as a non-apprentice.

3. Employers are avoiding taking on apprentices because it's a long term commitment which just doesn't make sense in such a volatile world. Some employers tell us that they find apprentices take them away from their own work (which they can ill afford). They have found the apprenticeship courses no longer teach students how to do the work; hence it is falling back on the employer to teach them

2. I heard broadcast media interviews with young people recently saying they are now avoiding doing university or college education to avoid running up tens of thousands of dollars in student debt which will impair their ability to become financially secure for years, if not decades.

3. I read reports on problems in apprenticeships. In the UK, apprenticeship uptake has been in decline for a decade. In Australia, employers who want to employ apprentices can’t get applicants, and those who can find apprentices are finding accessibility problems for training courses etc.  

There are options though which are not laced with such doom and gloom.

• In demand skills can be learned through short, inexpensive bite size courses
• Online courses can be studied from anywhere
• Self paced courses can be studied at any time, and fitted into your available time slots, without forcing you to reduce work hours and earning capacity. You can also avoid travel time & costs getting to and from courses.

Career changes or young people  just starting out, can learn a skill that employers are desperate for -and learn relatively fast without running up huge debt.

Build a Career one Step at a Time

The first step might be to get a foothold in the industry you have a passion for. Examples:

• If you want to work with animals, you can start by learning a little about animal care with formal or informal study. You might then volunteer at an animal welfare organisation (eg. shelter), or even a zoo. With a little knowledge and experience you might start applying for jobs anywhere with animals (eg. pet shops, zoos, farms, wildlife rescue, etc). Even a reception or office job might get your foot in the door. Over time you can build your knowledge and experience, and gradually climb the ladder in that industry.  Successful animal scientists do not need to all start with a university degree in veterinary science or zoology. In reality, many if not most build a career slowly, starting out small and growing as opportunities present.
• If you want to work in caring for people, you don't need to begin with a degree in medical science, psychology or social welfare.  Many careers begin with volunteering or low level jobs and a few basic skills. Courses such as cleaning, office practices or horticultural therapy may be a starting point to compliment experience gained through volunteering.
• Many people get a start in the legal profession by working as a receptionist or legal secretary; and over time that may build through experience and study into a substantial career.

There are hundreds of options if you just ask the right people for advice.

Use our free advisory service. We can help you find ways to follow your passion without creating a substantial long term student debt.