The influence of parents is a critical factor in driving young people’s educational and occupational aspirations, according to a new research report.

Published by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) and titled The factors affecting the educational and occupational aspirations of young Australians, the report examines the ways in which background characteristics influence young people.

It uses data from the 2009 cohort of the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY).

The major elements of the study involved understanding the aspirations to complete Year 12; to commence university study in the first year after leaving school and occupational aspirations at age 15 about the job they expected to have at age 30.

Mr Rod Camm, NCVER’s Managing Director, said academic performance, immigration background and whether their parents expect them to go to university are the critical factors to completing Year 12.

“Students whose parents want them to attend university are four times more likely to complete Year 12 and 11 times more likely to go on to higher education compared with those whose parents expect them to choose a non-university pathway.

“But where there is a discrepancy is that the job aspirations of a 15-year-old are often somewhat unrealistic. By age 25 – the cut-off for data analysis – a significant proportion of young people fall short of what they set out to achieve occupationally. However, this does not mean they cannot still achieve their desired occupation at a later date,” said Mr Camm.

Mr Camm said the study highlights how critical parental influences are in driving young people’s educational and occupational aspirations.

“The findings complement prior research which identified parents as the primary information resource for discussing career and post-school transition options,” said Mr Camm.

Mr Camm added the higher education plans of peers also have a strong influence.

“Students whose friends plan to attend university are nearly four times more likely to plan to attend universities themselves,” he said.

Copies of The factors affecting the educational and occupational aspirations of young Australians, by Sinan Gemici, Alice Bednarz, Tom Karmel and Patrick Lim, are available from www.lsay.edu.au/publications/2711.html