Apprentice and trainee numbers increase

The National Centre for Vocational Education Research has released the March 2008 quarter apprentice and trainee statistics for the Australian vocational education and training system.

Overall, there were 425 800 apprentices and trainees in-training as at 31 March 2008, an increase of 2% from the previous year.

Statistics comparing apprentice and trainee activity for the year ending 31 March 2008 with the previous year show:

• the number of people commencing an apprenticeship or traineeship increased by 5% to 280 700
• the number of people completing an apprenticeship or traineeship rose by 2% to 145 800 
• the number of people cancelling or withdrawing from an apprenticeship or traineeship grew by 6% to
  135 400.

As at 31 March 2008, the number of people undertaking a 'traditional trade apprenticeship' was 198 100. Compared with a year earlier, there was a 9.5% increase in commencements for 'traditional trade apprenticeships'.

ENDS

An electronic copy of Australian vocational education and training statistics: Apprentices and trainees, March quarter 2008 - Summary, can be accessed from 9.30am AEST on 11 September 2008, from http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2061.html

This publication contains information about apprentices and trainees; those people who are undertaking vocational training through contracted arrangements. The publication includes information about their personal, employment and training contract characteristics. State and territory breakdowns are also contained in the publication.

Media enquiries: Anna Payton or Chris Booth, +61 8 8230 8400.