Member Login
Modest increase in apprenticeship commencements gives hope for future growth
05 Sep 2019 | Media Release
The modest increase in commencements shown in today’s Apprentices and trainees data for the March quarter 2019 by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) gives hope that a return to growth in apprenticeship numbers is on its way, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said.
“The NCVER figures show that commencements increased by 2.2% in the March quarter 2019 compared with the same period last year, with trade commencements the highest they have been in four years,” ACCI CEO James Pearson said.
“As efforts by government to increase apprenticeships have only just started to have an impact, the number of apprenticeship and traineeships in training as at 31 March 2019, declined by 0.9% to 276,250 compared to the same time in 2018.
“The aim of the Skilling Australians Fund National Partnership Agreement, now in its second year, is to lift apprentice and trainee commencements. We hope to see much stronger results from this agreement in the coming year. The extra investment in incentives for ten key trade apprenticeships which commenced in July 2019 will hopefully also have a positive impact.
“With vocational training reform firmly on the federal government and COAG agenda, we encourage all governments to work with business to achieve lasting reform that will address concerns of falling funding and help Australia get the skills it sorely needs.”