More young Australians are taking gap years before going to university and spend that time working or in further study, according to a new report from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER).
Released today by NCVER, Who takes a gap year and why? by Marilyn Lumsden and John Stanwick, examines the characteristics, intentions and outcomes of students who take a gap year.
The figures show that 24% of young Australians took a gap year in the period 2009-10, an increase from 10% in the ten years since 1999-2000.
Most gap-takers worked either part-time (28%) or full-time (23%), while others studied for a non-university qualification (10%) or travelled (6%).
“This research shows that a gap year is not just a year of fun and frivolity, but time many students take to refine their study or career goals and support the next stage of their life,” said Dr Tom Karmel, Managing Director, NCVER.
“The findings suggest that many gap-takers work to raise money for later study and expenses like rent, text books, and general living, or extra costs associated with relocating from non-metropolitan regions.
“Those who continued to study did a vocational education and training (VET) qualification or school subjects to improve their tertiary entrance rank (TER) score.
“When it comes to student outcomes, the research shows that gap-takers can be a year or two behind their non-gap taking peers in terms of earnings, course completion and employment outcomes at age 24, which is to be expected given they started their studies a bit later.”
The study uses data from the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY), which tracks young people aged 15- 25 as they move from school into further study, work and other destinations.
Analysis of LSAY is produced by NCVER on behalf of the Australian and state and territory Governments with funding provided through the Australian Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
Who takes a gap year and why? is available from: www.lsay.edu.au/publications/2496.html
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