Myths & misconceptions

Myth #1
Intelligent students go to university - apprenticeships are for the less academic students.

Rubbish! The electrotechnology and telecommunications industries operate at the forefront of technology and people working in these industries work with complex and cutting edge hi-tech equipment on a daily basis. Electrotechnology and telecommunications professionals do everything from wiring up ‘Smart’ homes, to managing the control processes in a petrochemical environment, understanding complex engineering drawing and pinpointing hard to find faults – so there’s no doubt that a great deal of intelligence is required.

Myth #2
Tradespeople are poorly paid.

This couldn’t be further from the truth! Electricians are among the highest paid of all tradespeople. Most qualified and experienced electricians can expect to earn more than $60,000 a year. And anyone working in a highly-specialised area of the electrotechnology or telecommunications industries can earn much more. Plus, there’s the scope to own your own business, which can be very lucrative.

Myth #3
Once you become an electrician you’ll be stuck wiring houses for life.

Getting a trade will open all sorts of doors. Qualified tradespeople can go on to become supervisors, managers or consultants to construction companies or engineering firms or they can own their own business. Electrotechnology and telecommunications apprentices have gone on to travel the world working on everything from stage shows to super yachts. And there are plenty of opportunities close to home too – wiring oil rigs, airports, movie sets and more.

Myth #4
Apprentices are poorly paid dogsbodys.

As a rule apprentices are among the lowest paid in a company, but the rate of pay will depend on your agreement with the employer.  Each apprentice is given a Workplace Logbook detailing all the types of jobs they need to do in order to complete their apprenticeship, so they are constantly learning and doing new things. Add to this the fact that they’re gaining a national qualification while avoiding a huge student loan, and it’s clear that apprenticeships can be very rewarding.