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Are you thinking about what career opportunities there are for you in the future as a youth in Australia? After the impacts of COVID-19, you may be concerned. But at Open Colleges, we're here to help Australians realise their potential. We want to help you carve out a path for yourself and ensure you're in the best position to secure a successful and highly rewarding career.

What is the outlook for youth and employment?

The pandemic has disproportionately impacted young people, who, as a result, have amassed the name 'Generation COVID'. The impact doesn't just relate to mental health, but employment too.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals that the unemployment rate of young people (those aged 15-24) hit a 23-year high of 16.4% in June 2020, amid the pandemic. As of September 2021, youth unemployment has reduced to 10.8%. But this is still a dauntingly high figure when the overall unemployment rate for Australians is at 4.6%.

Unemployment and underemployment (where you struggle to get enough hours of work) is a real problem for younger people. This is partly due to young people commonly working in areas such as entertainment, travel, and hospitality. These were all impacted heavily by the pandemic and the ensuing lockdowns. But if you find yourself in this challenging position, you can do things to help increase your opportunities. It's essential that you stay positive and take action.

Is there light at the end of the tunnel?

While your career might not look how you expected right now, take comfort in the fact that you're not alone and there is support out there for you. The new JobTrainer Government initiative is a good example.

If you're struggling, make sure you take care of your mental health. Do things that help you feel motivated, and you'll be in a much better position when a career opportunity does arise.

You could use the time now to expand your professional network, look for internships or apprenticeships and consider pursuing roles in high-demand industries. You could also develop your essential soft skills and consider studying an online course to build your technical skills.

This is also an opportunity to take advantage of your talents. After all, the pandemic has changed the traditional workplace considerably, with working from home becoming the norm and technology becoming an even more significant part of every role. So, who better to embrace these new and exciting modern ways of working than younger people!

Pursuing roles in high-demand industries

If you want to increase your chances of getting hired, you could consider a career change. Look at some areas where jobs are in high demand. Some of the fastest-growing jobs in Australia are:

• Mental Health Workers
• Aged and Disabled Support Workers
• Data Scientists
• Cyber security Analysts
• Early Childhood Educators
• Social media Marketers
• Building and construction work

Because these jobs are in high demand, it means there are lots of opportunities for you to start your career. With an ageing population, a rise in mental health issues linked to COVID and technology becoming used increasingly in everyday life, it's expected that more jobs will be created in these areas over time too. This will mean you'll have greater job security, as well as opportunities for career development in the long term.

How studying an online course can increase your opportunities

Once you've decided on a career path, you can increase your chances of getting hired by upskilling or reskilling. A qualification will create lots more possibilities for you, put you on the right track, get you noticed by employers and help you stand out from other candidates.

At Open Colleges, we offer a fantastic range of flexible online courses, with qualifications suitable for all the high-demand industries and beyond. We offer a wide range of courses in health, design, business, trades, childhood education and technology.

Are you ready for the future of work? Develop your skills now with our selection of nationally recognised courses and take your first step towards achieving your full career potential.