You’re finally in year 10 of secondary school. You can almost taste freedom and you start thinking about whether you not you will obtain your Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL). What's the point? Right now, you cannot imagine ever wanting to set foot in a classroom ever again so why go through all that trouble when you could drop out right now?
So you drop out and now you are starting to wonder if maybe you should have stayed just a little bit longer. Your job opportunities right now are limited, and you may not be able to advance further in your company without the right education.
Still, obtaining your VCAL takes hard work and dedication, but it is well worth the effort. If you dropped out before obtaining your VCAL, here are a few great reasons to consider going back.
Job opportunities
Let's say for example that you are in year 10 and working for your family’s auto mechanic business as an administrative assistant. You answer phones, schedule appointments and handle sales, but you would really like to be out on the floor working on cars yourself. You want to go through years 11 and 12, but the coursework is not specific to what you want to do.
For students who want a more specific type of learning experience, VCAL can be a great alternative. Rather than focusing solely on literacy and numeracy skills, VCAL prepares students to enter certain trades, such as the automotive industry, justice, IT or building and construction to name but a few, and gets them started working with industry professionals and learning industry-related skills. After completing VCAL, students are able to enter TAFE institutions for further accreditations.
Further advancement opportunities
Working on cars might be your favourite right now, but did you know there is a demand for mechanics who can work on tractors and other farming equipment? Skilled workers are also needed to work on large commercial vehicles such as trucks and buses.
In many industries, there are different areas that require special certifications or diplomas. In the beauty industry, for example, a Certificate III in Beauty Services will certify you in nail technology, waxing and lash and brow treatments, which can lead you to a career as a makeup artist, nail technician or waxing technician.
Having this certification will allow you to enrol in other classes and go for higher certifications and diplomas. After completing a Certificate III in Beauty Services, you can then advance to a Diploma of Beauty Therapy, which will allow you to work as a spa or salon beauty therapist. By building on your skills, you can advance your career and reach new heights and opportunities that might have otherwise been closed off.
Increase earning potential
According to the Department of Education & Training, students who drop out of school before finishing Year 12 will earn less money when they enter the workforce. They are also more likely to experience long bouts of unemployment and may face some stiff competition when applying for jobs.
In fact, it is estimated that a person who does not finish Year 12 will earn about half a million dollars less throughout his or her lifetime compared with a person who completes Year 12. This could mean the difference between owning your own house one day and renting for the rest of your life.
Further research has shown that those who have trouble landing and keeping a job by their mid-twenties will have a disadvantage, both financially and socially, that may follow them well into adulthood. You may find yourself missing out on fun activities with your friends, such as weekend getaways or cruises, or struggling to pay your own bills.
Explore new hobby
When you walk by a school, do you ever wish you could pass on your love of reading to the next generation? Or do you love to flip through fashion magazines and predict what will be fashionable and trendy in the coming seasons? What you might not know is that your hobby could become a viable and rewarding career if you have the right education.
Most people only think of their hobbies as distractions or something that would never led to a career, but in many cases, a hobby can lead to a great career. For example, if you love to read and want to share that love, you might consider becoming a kindergarten teacher. You will be responsible for introducing a new generation of readers to some of your favourite classics.
Other hobbies such as hair styling or fashion can lead into great careers. Hairdressers, nail technicians and spa therapists are in high demand all over the country. No matter where you want to live, you can find work in a salon or even on a cruise ship, if you want to expand your horizons. In the fashion industry, there are hundreds of jobs that go into bringing the latest fashions to consumers, such as a style forecaster, a buyer or a tailor.
What was once a passing hobby could become an amazing career if you have the right education to build on your passion.
When it comes to education, it is important to think further down the line. Where do you want to be in five or even 10 years? What sort of lifestyle do you want to be living? Do you want to be able to take nice vacations or support your favourite hobby? Without an education, you might find yourself struggling to support your lifestyle or being unable to join friends as they book exotic vacations.
Though you may be apprehensive, go back and get your VCAL. You will not regret it.
Kangan Institute offer VCAL courses to ensure that you’re primed and ready to enter the workforce.
