Forget ATARs. Have you considered a future at Canberra Institute of Technology?
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It’s a stressful time for many Canberra families as Year 12 students wait for ATARs, hope for university places, or leave school with no clear direction on where to go next.
CIT Executive Director, Education Futures and Students, Josephine Andersen, has some sage advice.
“At this time, it’s particularly important to remember that an ATAR is not the be-all and end-all. There are alternative pathways to employment and further study if you don’t get the outcome you’re hoping for, so there’s no need to panic.”
Vocational education and training (VET) courses offer a flexible and practical alternative for young people who may choose not to go to university, or who may have missed out on an offer for their preferred university course.
CIT offers more than 200 qualifications with short and long course options. From traditional trades to emerging and in-demand industries, such as renewable energy and cyber security, there are opportunities for everyone at CIT with plenty of support along the way to help students succeed.
As Josephine notes, “for those young people who are rethinking their plans or undecided on what to do next, a CIT course presents an excellent opportunity to explore their career interests before committing to the time and cost of a full university degree.”
CIT courses give students practical, real-world experience which can provide school leavers with an insight into the reality of working in their chosen industry. For some, this may help to strengthen their motivation to continue further studies at university; for others, it may prompt them to choose a new career path altogether.
While many school leavers choose to complete a CIT course for its own value, others do so in preparation for further study. One advantage of completing a CIT course before going to university is that CIT graduates may receive credit towards their university degree.
“By completing part of your studies at CIT, you may be able to reduce the time and cost of a university degree. This is particularly the case in fields such as nursing.”
The practical experience students gain at CIT also means they can earn while they learn, by working part-time in their chosen industry if they choose to pursue further study.
The Australian Government has identified that 9-out-of-10 jobs of the future will require post-school qualifications, while also predicting an acute skills shortage. CIT graduates are renowned for being job ready, with more than 90 per cent of graduates obtaining employment or progressing to further study in 2022 – almost 5 per cent more than the national average.
In 2023, CIT has also witnessed an increase in women and gender diverse people enrolling in construction and trade courses, particularly in areas such as electronics, automotive, and building and construction after a concerted push to break down gender barriers in trades.
The number of women enrolling in courses such as landscape construction, automotive electric vehicle technology, and electronics increased by almost 25 per cent in 2023.
Josephine emphasised how necessary skilled workers are for our city – from the baristas who provide our coffee each morning, to the mechanics who keep us on the roads, to the builders who put a roof over our heads.
CIT also provides professional up-skilling for those who want and stay on trend with their industry for job security or progression.
State-of-the-art facilities provide training in real-world environments such as a dedicated cyber security training operations centre, a commercial restaurant and café, a childcare training facility, a hair and beauty salon, a fitness centre, simulated hospital wards, trade workshops, and laboratories.
Hands-on training methods, industry partnerships and work placements expose students to the latest industry trends and techniques, ensuring CIT graduates have the skills and confidence they need to enter the workforce straight away.
So nobody graduating from Year 12 should feel panicked. There are plenty of quality education and training options at CIT..
If you are keen to learn more about a possible pathway to education and training at CIT, please visit cit.edu.au
