When School Isn’t Working, Find a Better Path [a Listener Q&A]

What do you do when your 17-year-old refuses to go to school, skips classes and has no idea what he wants to do instead?

Justin and Kylie tackle a tricky question from a parent whose son is struggling with Year 11. They explore vocational schools, apprenticeships, TAFE, distance education and the idea that education doesn’t have to mean sitting in a classroom until Year 12. The goal is to help young people keep learning, contributing and moving forward without forcing them into a path that clearly isn’t working.

KEY POINTS:

• Why school isn’t the only way to get an education
• Vocational schools and hands-on learning
• School-based apprenticeships and TAFE
• Why “earning or learning” is a useful family expectation
• Helping teenagers build character, reliability and practical skills
• Why a 17-year-old doesn’t need their whole future figured out
• Finding purpose through contribution and solving real problems

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE:
“You need to be either full-time earning or full-time learning.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Boys: Building Strong Young Men from the Inside Out by Justin Coulson
• The Industry School
• School-based apprenticeships
• TAFE and vocational education
• Lift the Load 50 for 50 fundraiser for Top Blokes

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS:

• Talk to your child’s school about alternative pathways.
• Look beyond university and traditional Year 12 pathways.
• Explore apprenticeships, TAFE, vocational schools and practical training.
• Help your teenager find something that builds skills and a sense of contribution.
• Take the pressure off having their entire future figured out at 17.
• Focus on reliability, communication, initiative and integrity.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.