By Aaron Cordy
A PARLIAMENTRY inquiry into student pathways to in-demand industries like health care, social assistance and construction was set up last year, featuring Mooroopna resident, Rowan Farren-Parnell.
Rowan was one of 10 Youth Associates who consulted a diverse range of their peers across Victoria (between 20 and 30 young people per region), aged 18 to 25 years, to ensure that young people have a voice in this inquiry.
Based on 10 consultation questions, each Youth Associate prepared a written report summarising the results of their consultations.
“The main findings we got were cost of living was the biggest thing affecting young people. Which paralleled me reflecting on my own experience having moved to Melbourne temporarily, very hard to make a living while you study full-time,” said Rowan.
“Not to say that some degrees are easy, but with certain degrees, you just don’t have the time to work, study and everything else that life needs. Similarly if you live here locally, to keep supported from family, then you’re commuting down to Melbourne or Bendigo, and you’re losing an entire day to go to a couple of classes.
The cost of living was a big challenge, and it led to a lot of people pausing or dropping out of their courses entirely.
“The other thing was cultural restrictions within High School. There’s a kind of down view placed on trades and TAFE and certs and non-academic options. People just expected that as being like your backup option or your option for those who don’t care as much. That cultural expectation that everyone should go to Uni, everyone needs to go study.”
The Youth Associates reports were collected last year, with the findings expected in the coming months.
