Caitlin Radford, 22, is a fifth-generation farmer and the first female farmer in her family. After leaving high school, Caitlin always thought she'd return to the family farm on the northwest coast of Tasmania but spent some time exploring other options first. "After some travel, I came home and started an apprenticeship under my Dad," she said.

Caitlin completed a Certificate III in Agriculture as a part-time apprentice and is now undertaking a Diploma of Agribusiness Management. Apprentice of the Year in 2020, she has spoken widely about the advantages of VET.

"It is a real privilege to be able to not only share my story but to also hopefully inspire others to take up their dream career path through VET, too," she said. "I know that I made the right choice choosing VET over uni as I had the opportunity to learn on the farm, and it was more flexible for my lifestyle while doing many different things.

"I have the practical skills ... I am now developing my business skills and learning how to run my company in a profitable, sustainable and productive way."

Caitlin encouraged others to pursue a career path they would enjoy. "There is no point in being in a job where you are not happy," she said. "You can change your career at any point, and there is always support available to help you do this. I highly encourage the apprenticeship route as you get paid while completing a certification as well."

Sam Heffernan, 21, has had tremendous success in following a VET path, having completed Certificate II in Construction at school, Certificate III in Sports and Recreation via TAFE NSW and a Bachelor's in Project Management/Business Analytics through Deakin University.

"VET allowed me to flourish as an individual and as a professional," he said. "It continuously opened doors for new opportunities and continues to do so today. All of my successes are directly associated with my vocational training."

By re-thinking his path, Sam was paid to study and, at age 19, bought a house with no financial support from his parents. He's also had the opportunity to travel and become a mentor for an empowerment program.

Sam has had the chance to meet inspiring and supportive people and has found what he is passionate about. He encouraged others not to overlook vocational education as an option. "I understand there is still a stigma around vocation and its potential; however my story alone and the successes I have been fortunate enough to achieve are heavily due to my vocational education."

After finishing a school-based traineeship, Cassie O'Carroll, 18, is studying for a degree in Conservation Biology at the University of Wollongong. "[VET] has given me greater confidence in my ability," she said. "I feel better equipped to enter the workforce with the skills I've acquired throughout my traineeship."

Cassie was challenged to re-think her views on VET. "I used to think that VET was for people who weren't very academic and only saw it as an opportunity to escape the HSC and enter the workforce earlier," she said. "I've discovered the stigma surrounding traineeships and apprenticeships is entirely misplaced. VET pathways can boost your employability far more than traditional pathways."

Her advice to others was to explore potential career paths via VET. "You are not locked into a contract, so if you end up not enjoying it, you can change courses without the overwhelming expense of a university degree," she said. "You can get paid to learn and gain an internationally accredited qualification while acquiring transferable skills and meeting new people."