At 31 December 2001:

• An estimated 329 580 persons were undertaking an apprenticeship or traineeship, an increase of 11.8% from 31 December 2000.
  
  
• Almost three quarters (74.3%) of apprentices and trainees in-training were undertaking AQF level III programs.
  
  
• Around 38.5% of all apprentices and trainees in-training were employed in the trades and related workers occupation group.

From 1996 to 2001:

• Participation rates in apprenticeships and traineeships for Australia’s working-age population (15 to 64 years) increased from 1.3% to over 2.5%.
  
  
• Participation rates for young people (15 to 24 years) increased from 5.2% to 7.0%.
  
  
• Participation rates for young females (15 to 24 years) more than doubled, from 2.1% to 4.4%.