Jobs bonanza for school leavers

By Cara Jenkin

A resurgent economy gives one of the best outlooks for a class of school leavers to secure a good job and start their career on the right foot, career advisers say.

Training, however, is as important as ever for young workers wanting to capture their place in the state’s expected employment boom.

Entry-level positions, particularly in administration and information technology, are available but defence, mining and health remain the top industries in which school leavers may aim to get work by pursuing a qualification first.

Trade careers, especially in the motor industry, need to be a hot choice for young people to meet demands for workers and advanced manufacturing of highly technical equipment increasingly needs staff.

YouthJet director Michael Yeo says school leavers, who immediately want to start their careers in the workforce, can obtain an entry-level position next year.

He says, however, those who complete further study through university or vocational education have a greater chance of securing the job they want.

“Our indicators say this year’s school leavers have as much opportunity as any generation has had,” Mr Yeo says.

“Opportunities are just growing with a more diverse economy.

“School leavers this year might not necessarily get a job (straight away) but they have the opportunity to get into anything they want to.”

Mr Yeo says there is strong demand for tradespeople as projects get back on track after the economic downturn. “That’s probably going to emerge as significant as ever,” he says. Strong demand remains for engineers, particularly in mining, as well as health care, he says.

“I think people coming out of schools at the moment have such a burgeoning opportunity,” he says.

“It’s a good time to be a young person.”

Major infrastructure projects in South Australia such as roads and water facilities need trade staff, science professionals, information and communication technology workers and engineers.

The electrotechnology and advanced manufacturing industries seek skilled staff to keep up with the increasing technological developments in every sector.

The Motor Trade Association of South Australia is calling for school leavers who are yet to decide on what to do next year to consider a trade career in the motor industry.

It needs motor mechanics for light and heavy vehicles, panel beaters, vehicle painters, auto electricians and parts interpreters.

Jobs Statewide team leader Dorina Karafylidis says competition among school leavers for immediate employment is fierce.

But there are many opportunities for those who go on to further study to become skilled trades professionals, she says.

“School leavers without relevant qualifications will find it hard to go straight into work and should consider a traineeship or obtaining a Certificate II or III level qualification related specifically to their chosen field of work,” she says.

“They need to give themselves an advantage over other school leavers to increase their chances of employment.”

Ms Karafylidis says there are employers who want to offer traineeships to school leavers, particularly in office administration and information technology. They can also study a Certificate II or III in a range of fields from food processing and hospitality with Federal Government funding.

Caitlin Schutz, 18, started work at front reception at the Hilton Hotel last month and wants to work her way up in the company.

She completed a Certificate III in Hospitality during Year 12 at Westminster School this year, which she says gave her a foot in the door.

“I started working in hospitality at the age of 14 at Jack’s Fish Shack at Glenelg and took a bit of initiative, with a bit of help, to commence my certificate,” she says.

She says her break at Hilton came when she rang in asking for advice on what path she should take and what courses to study to further her career in hospitality.

She was asked to send in her resume and was hired two months later as a waiter at The Brasserie restaurant, where she worked for four months until the end of school.

She plans to do further study to gain an advance diploma in events and hospitality. “It’s a great opportunity and I’m really looking forward to it,” she says.

Article from The Advertiser, December 4-5, 2010.