Apprenticeships Growing in Popularity

March 3 2006 - New statistics from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) show a growing number of people starting an apprenticeship or traineeship

Seasonally adjusted, the number of new starters on apprenticeships or traineeships has grown for six quarters in a row. In the year to September 30 2005, the number of starters (267,600) increased by 5% over the previous year.

Uptake by older people - those aged 45 years and over - showed a relatively high (13%) rate of growth, exceeded only by traditional apprenticeships', which recorded an increase of 14% over the previous year. However, across the country, newly commencing apprentices and trainees were predominantly male and 19 years of age or under.

Higher-level qualifications continued to show a trend of increased commencements in the year to 30 September 2005 with 8% more people starting training contracts at Australian Qualifications Framework qualification level three or higher.

The total number of apprentices and trainees in-training is relatively stable at 397,800, unchanged from the previous quarter, but down by a single percentage point from the previous year's total of 400,900.

139,600 people completed an apprenticeship or traineeship over the 12 months to 30 September 2005 - an increase of 5% over the previous year.