A mechanic in Perth, Western Australia, blamed the “spoilt generation” for the sudden closure of his business.
He said that young people were dropping out of apprenticeships because they were not earning enough.
According to him, his generation had provided his kids with better lives, but they haven’t let them learn from their mistakes.
He said that many young people don’t have money, but they often spend $50 for a hamburger delivery.
Over the years, Mr Rawson said that he had only had a dozen apprentices. Although some had lasted for several years, he noted that none of them wanted to stay in the industry.
He said that once they get their jobs, they are just as happy as Larry was.
He noted that within three to six months of starting an apprenticeship, many of them have already started dragging their feet. He said that the main reason for the lack of interest was the lack of money.
However, he also said that the problems started with education and the mining industry.
According to Mr Rawson, the education system is partly responsible for the lack of interest in trades among young people. He said that many of them went to university with the intention of going into the workforce, but ended up with debts and no experience. Mining is a lucrative option for young individuals, as they can quickly earn a huge amount of money.
According to Mr Rawson, the industry has always struggled to get good individuals into the workshop. Kiara Derschow, who was 22 years old at the time of her interview, said that she had initially considered a career in meat processing, but these dreams were put off by the horror stories of her friends who had taken on apprenticeships.
She said that she decided to stay in retail due to the issues she faced, such as poor treatment by her managers, bullying, and inadequate wages. Another young woman, who identified herself as 22-year-old Bianca Russell, blamed the lack of money as a generational issue.
One of her friends who was an apprentice had reportedly been treated poorly by his boss, which effectively turned him off from taking on an apprenticeship. Ms Derschow then hit back at the criticism of how generation Z had spent their money, claiming that it was unhelpful and that young people would prioritize short-term gain over saving for a home.
According to Ms Derschow, the misconception that young people don’t want to work is not true. Instead, they need to work harder to get ahead. Connor Gale, a 21-year-old heavy diesel mechanic, agreed that it was common for people in his field to drop out before finishing their training.
Stephen Moir, the chief executive of the Motor Trade Association of Western Australia, said that the state’s motor industry was in need of around 3,500 skilled technicians. Across the country, there were about 35,000 technician gaps.
There has been a significant increase in the number of people signing up for apprenticeships in the electrical and construction sectors.