the duration of apprenticeships, traineeships and new apprenticeships

The introduction of traineeships saw the introduction of contracts of training of 1–2 years’ duration. Prior to that apprenticeships had been mostly of 3–4 years’ duration. Flexible arrangements introduced over the past decade mean there is now a fairly even spread of new apprenticeships of different durations. In 2000:

• 19.9% were one year or less in duration
• 18.5% were over one year and up to two years
• 17.6% were over two years and up to three years
• 44.0% were of three years or more in duration

The number of apprenticeships and traineeships of all durations have grown very strongly since 1995 (figure 2). All are continuing to grow strongly except new apprenticeships of one year’s duration or less, which have declined sharply since 1999.

changes in the level of qualifications of apprenticeships, traineeships and new apprenticeships

Traditionally the apprenticeship system was focussed wholly on trade certificate or equivalent qualifications (i.e. Certificate III or equivalent level). Traineeships initially introduced the equivalent of Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate I and IIs to the system, with an extension of the system to the equivalent of AQF Certificate IVs and diplomas in the early 1990s.

Clearly the extension of the apprenticeship system to cover all levels of vocational qualifications means by definition that Certificate IIIs are no longer 100% of the system. However, 75% of all new apprenticeships are in Certificate IIIs (table 3).The numbers in Certificate III contracts of training grew by over 90 000 places since 1995 to reach an all-time record of 208 000 new apprentices in Certificate III programs in 2000 (figure 3).

Almost 21% of new apprentices were in new apprenticeships at Certificate II level (table 3).There was a sixfold increase in contracts of training at the Certificate II level from 1995 to 2000, with the number increasing from 9000 to nearly 58 000 (figure 3).

There has been strong growth from a low base in new apprenticeships at the Certificate IV or diploma level to reach 8400 in 2000. Certificate Is are insignificant and have almost disappeared from the apprenticeship system in recent years (figure 3).

the growth of part-time apprenticeships

Part-time apprenticeships have grown rapidly since 1995, growing from only 2700 in 1995 to over 45 000 in 2000. Part-time new apprenticeships now make up 16.5% of all new apprenticeships.

the growth of school-based apprenticeships

New apprenticeships undertaken by students who are still at school have also grown very rapidly from just over 100 in 1995 to over 6000 in 2000.This represents 2.2% of all new apprenticeships. Over half of all school-based new apprenticeships in Australia are in Queensland.