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Media Release
NEW APPRENTICESHIPS CONTINUE TO GROW
3 March 2006
Minister for Vocational and Technical Education, the Hon Gary Hardgrave MP, today welcomed figures showing that the number of people commencing New Apprenticeships has grown by 5% to 267,600 in the 12 months to September 2005.
“The latest figures released by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) also highlight increases in the number of New Apprentices commencing their qualifications in the trades and related worker occupations,” Mr Hardgrave said.
“The number of New Apprentices in-training was unchanged from the June 2005 quarter, following the revising up of the previous quarter’s figures, with 397,800 in-training as at 30 September 2005.
“There was a 5% increase in completions, with 139,600 people completing a New Apprenticeship in the 12 months to September 2005 compared with 133,400 in the same period in 2004.
“The Australian Government is continuing to provide opportunities for workers aged 45 and over. Mature-aged workers showed the highest percentage growth in commencements with a 13% increase, up to 32,100 in the past year.
“There continues to be a trend toward higher level qualifications also, with 81% of all New Apprentices commencing in Australian Qualifications Framework Certificate level III or higher.
“Disappointingly withdrawals and cancellations have increased, with half of the increase being in New South Wales. The New South Wales Government must set aside their ideological opposition and must fully implement the recent reforms from the Council of Australian Government (COAG) and their obligations under the Skilling Australia Workforce agreement to give the people of New South Wales real opportunities in the future.
“The Australian Government remains strongly committed to continuing to support and to enhance further the New Apprenticeships programme ensuring that it continues to meet the needs of Australian industry, businesses, employers and individual New Apprentices.
”New Apprenticeships continue to offer people of all ages an accessible and flexible path to satisfying careers in hundreds of different occupations,” Mr Hardgrave concluded.
For more information on New Apprenticeships, visit: http://www.newapprenticeships.gov.au/
Media Contact: Suzanne Ferguson 0402 896 100
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