Is a bad ATAR better than no ATAR?

[lukew]

Hi guys, and I know this is a broad question, but my friend is in year 11 and struggling with school, he's never been a bright student, and he's considering dropping out next term to work full time in his family's bakery business. He has no aspirations to be in his family's business or be a baker, however it seems he has no career aspirations either, as most teenagers do.

Now obviously if he works full time he has more financial prospects, and he doesn't enjoy VCE so he has that going for him, but if he wants to move from bakery into anything else, wouldn't he be very restricted?

I'm just trying to convince him that he should at least pass VCE so he's got an ATAR to work off. Am I right in saying the at least completing VCE gives more career prospects that no ATAR?

Any discussion is welcome, thanks.

[Russ]

Yes, having completed high school is a requirement for a lot of things (your mark is irrelevant, you just need the certificate).

That said, if he has no desire to finish high school but wants to try full time work...I'm not exactly against that depending on the specifics. And there are apprenticeships that won't require an ATAR

[cheng_ju]

Would he consider working full-time for a year in the bakery (and no school) however then return to full-time schooling the following year (possibly with part-time work as a baker)?

[Souljette_93]

If he doesn't like VCE than maybe he can do VCAL or a diploma or something,always better than just quitting.

[Gloamglozer]

Yes, having completed high school is a requirement for a lot of things (your mark is irrelevant, you just need the certificate).

That said, if he has no desire to finish high school but wants to try full time work...I'm not exactly against that depending on the specifics. And there are apprenticeships that won't require an ATAR

This.  Just getting the certificate is an achievement itself.  If you've been listening to the radio recently, the ADF has been pushing its recruitment campaign and they say you only need year 12.

So that's an alternative to the standard TAFE/uni pathway that a lot of people take.  Or combine both TAFE or uni with the ADF.

[schnappy]

Convince him to complete VCE. Not just the ADF, but other civil service also requires high school... thinking of Vic Pol here, sure others as well.

[taiga]

Remember that VCE Is the Victorian Certificate of Education.

That's technically a qualification which is a minimum requirement for a lot of jobs.

[appianway]

If he doesn't apply to university, I don't think he gets an ATAR.

[lukew]

Thanks guys, I will definitely try to convince him to try hard, and not his definition of try hard, as in actually try hard, use external resources for revision, actually ask questions when he doesn't understand etc, and of course, help him myself.
He's just very apathetic and has a viable option of doing something other than vce cos everyone else is doing it.

Again, his decision and if he wants to go into the family business then fine but I'll definitely let him know about all of this.
Thanks guys.

[Gloamglozer]

If he doesn't apply to university, I don't think he gets an ATAR.

I think he still does so long as he's satisfied all the pre-requisites to get a VCE regardless of whether he wants to continue studying.

[slothpomba]

This happened to one of my mates, they just wanted out.

Dropped almost all of their subjects and did a total change over. He could do something like that if possible and maybe take up VCAL or at least a VET subject.

My school had VET bakery...sign writing...and lots of other things i forgot...we got one of those trade training centres.

I'd really encourage him to complete year 12 or some kind of equivalent though just incase he changes his mind or something, plus it really is a good thing to have. I'm sure he could slave it out for another year.

[Eriny]

Your employability in any industry as a high school graduate is much higher than that of a drop-out  and generally if you can at least finish high school you can expect higher-paid, more comfortable jobs and a higher chance of promotion. It's just playing the odds, really.