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Media Release
AUSTRALIAN APPRENTICESHIP NUMBERS CONTINUE TO GROW
December 11, 2006
The Australian Minister for Vocational and Technical Education, the Hon Gary Hardgrave MP, said that National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) statistics provide evidence that the Australian Government’s initiatives in encouraging people to take up training opportunities, particularly in the trades, are working.
A report released today reveals significant increases in commencement and completion rates for Australian Apprenticeships reflecting the success of the Australian Government’s record investment in and commitment to initiatives to encourage Australians to take up vocational and technical education.
These figures build on last week’s NCVER report which reveals Australia’s national training system continues to produce record numbers of highly employable, and satisfied apprentices, trainees and graduates.
Today’s statistics show that in the 12 months to 30 June 2006:
- Australian Apprenticeship commencements grew to 267,200, an increase of 3%;
- Australian Apprenticeship commencements in higher level qualifications increased by more than 5%;
- Australian Apprenticeship commencements in the trades grew by 5%;
- there was a 13% growth in commencements of Australian School-based Apprenticeships;
- Australian Apprenticeship completions grew to 142,400, an increase of 5%;
- Australian Apprenticeship completions in higher level qualifications increased by more than 7%; and
- in the trades, the numbers of Australian Apprenticeship increased by more than 15% and a significant 70% in Australian School-based Apprenticeships.
The total number of Australian Apprentices in training continues to exceed the 400,000 mark and when compared with the 1996 figure of 154,000 demonstrates the huge growth in Australian Apprenticeships under the 10 year leadership of the Howard Government. The NCVER data shows that Australian Apprentices in-training in the trades has risen by 5%, with higher level qualifications and Australian School-based Apprenticeships increasing by 1% and 19% respectively, compared to June 2005.
The NCVER 2006 Student Outcomes Survey released last week reveals almost 80% of all graduates were employed after their training, and 88% of all graduates were either employed or in further study after their training.
Statistics of note from the 2006 Student Outcomes Survey show that over the 12 months to June 2006:
- there was continued growth in the trades and related worker occupations with 28% of all Australian Apprenticeship commencements and 45% of people in training being in the trades;
- women accounted for 41% of all commencements;
- there was an 7% increase in commencements for mature aged workers; and
- there was growth of 28% in entries to Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses.
The Australian Government is delivering a range of initiatives and investing $11.3 billion to 2010 – the largest commitment to vocational and technical education by any government in Australia’s history. This includes the Skills for the Future package which provides:
- $408 million for Work Skills Vouchers;
- $307 million for support for Mid-Career Apprentices;
- $12 million for Business Skills Vouchers for Apprentices; and
- $54 million for incentives for higher technical skills.
Minister Hardgrave’s Media Adviser: Nikki Voss 0402 896 100
Dept of Education, Science and Training: Media Unit 02 6240 7300
Non media queries 1300 363 079
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