Earn while you learn and no student loan
“The growth in student loans to $7 billion is one of the reasons why industry training, including modern
apprenticeships, is very popular with young people, their families and employers”, said Darel Hall Executive Director of
the Industry Training Federation.
“There are 130,000 people of all ages in industry training, including the 6,500 Modern Apprentices aged 16 – 21. They
have no student loan and no student debt.
“However, the government restricts the places available for people through these tertiary education pathways. Recent
research shows the demand growth for Modern Apprenticeships is about 4,000 per annum. However the government has plans
to expand Modern Apprentices by 1,000 from now until 2006. There is even greater demand for more industry training.
“At a time when trades and technical careers are earning well, there are serious shortages in these areas, and there is
such concern about student debt, the government should reconsider allowing more people to take up industry training.
ENDS