NCVER
published 2000

Introduction

The purpose of this report is to provide information on trends over the years 1995 to 1998 in the realm of contracts of training in vocational education and training in the electrical and electronics trade occupations in Australia. Initial raw figures are also provided for 1999. This information will be used to provide an indication of where skill shortages may be occurring or likely to occur in relation to specific electrical or electronics trade occupations.

The main electrical and electronics trade occupations for which apprentice and trainee data are considered in this report are:

• Electrical engineering associate professionals (ASCO code 3123)
• Electronics engineering technicians (3124-13)
• Electrical and electronics tradespersons (43)
• Electrical and telecommunications trades assistants (9918).

More detailed, sub-category investigation of apprentice and trainee numbers is provided for some of these occupation areas.

Comparisons of apprentice and trainee numbers are also made with projections of employment growth in the electrical and electronics trade occupations.

Provision of this information will help to identify skill shortages for, or within, particular electrical and electronics trade occupations or whether current shortages in electrical and electronics trade occupations are likely to be overcome in the short-term.

Factors including widespread technological changes, the requirement of trade industries for more highly skilled and productive apprentices, increased competition in world trade and the need to improve the transition from school to work have had a major impact on the employment-based training system in Australia.

The government has reformed the apprenticeship and trainee system by making it more flexible and responsive to employer needs and ensuring that quality training is provided. The new training arrangements covering apprenticeships and traineeships are collectively known as New Apprenticeships which the government began introducing from 1 January 1998.

This report focuses on providing more detailed information on such factors as trends in numbers in training, commencements and completions, in relation specifically to electrical and electronics trade occupation contracts of training (that is, predominately apprenticeships) by each of the electrical and electronics trade occupation areas. This information is provided in the context of relevant economic and labour market information.

The employment forecast information utilised in this report is based on the data provided by Chris Murphy and Justin Douglas of Econtech in their report commissioned by the NCVER entitled The Outlook for Jobs.