‘Good marks, go to uni’: Young Aussies bucking study path as demand for skilled tradies surge

Electrical apprentice Verena Demertzis spent 18 months studying sport and exercise science at university before realising higher education wasn’t for her.

After dropping out, the 22-year-old spent the next six months applying for apprenticeships before landing a role in the electrical trade – defying expectations in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

“In high school, teachers didn’t really encourage trades as much to the females, it was more like ‘oh, you’re getting good marks, you go to uni,” Ms Demertzis said.

Her career pivot comes as Australia grapples with a severe shortage of skilled workers and an urgent need for more housing and infrastructure.

New research released on Friday – marking National Tradie Day – has revealed 90 per cent of Australians now want skilled tradies recognised as essential workers, alongside nurses and teachers.

The survey, commissioned by Kennards Hire, also found 71 per cent of respondents felt tradies did not get the recognition they deserved.

85 per cent were grateful for a tradie solving an urgent issue at short notice.

A further 25 per cent of Australians said they would encourage a family member to pursue a trade apprenticeship, compared with 23 per cent who favoured a university degree.

Kennards Hire spokesman Ollie Chapman said attracting more women into non-traditional industries would help solve the national skill deficit.

“We’re seeing skilled shortages, but I think that’s what creates opportunity,” Mr Chapman said.

He said making trades an exciting career path allowed the country to draw from the full talent pool, rather than relying on only half of the available skill set.

Ms Demertzis said mastering complex electrical installations from start to finish provides a level of satisfaction she never felt in a lecture hall.

“When you’ve been on something for so long, and then you finally know how to do everything from start to finish, it’s like academic validation, but a work version,” Ms Demertzis said.

She said a trade qualification opened more doors than just physical labour.