Apprentices and trainees 2020 – June quarter data now available

Media release

16 December 2020

The most recent data on apprentice and trainee training activity is now available for the June quarter 2020. Fluctuations below are as compared with the June quarter 2019:

  1. Total commencements declined 35.8% to 21 115
  2. Total completions declined 24.4% to 14 820
  3. Cancellations and withdrawals declined 28.7% to 15 120
  4. Total number of apprentices and trainees in-training as at 30 June 2020 was 266 565, a decline of 3.9% from 30 June 2019.

Apprentices and trainees 2020 – June quarter provides a national picture of apprenticeship and traineeship activity, including both quarterly and annual figures that can be broken down by state and territory.

It also includes information on the biggest increases and decreases across various demographics to assist in identifying large differences over the last year.

Those commencing apprenticeships or traineeships in trade occupations were down 21.4 per cent to 9 405 in the June quarter 2020, with some of the biggest decreases seen in food trade workers, electrotechnology and telecommunications, and automotive engineering.

Commencements in non-trade occupations were down 44.0 per cent to 11 710, with some of the larger declines seen in hospitality workers, storepersons, and carers and aides.

Trade and non-trade occupations that saw significant declines in completions include sports and personal service workers, hospitality workers, and construction trades workers.

Quotes attributable to NCVER Managing Director Simon Walker

Both apprentice and trainee commencements and completions decreased significantly in the June quarter 2020. These decreases are largely reflected in non-trade occupations, with commencements down 44 per cent and completions down 26.3 per cent in the June quarter 2020 when compared with the same quarter in 2019.

Likewise, in-training figures showed a 10.6 per cent decrease for non-trade occupations as at June 2020, compared to only a 0.3 per cent decline for trade occupations.

Despite notable decreases across the board, there was an increase in commencements for construction and trade workers, up 7.7 per cent in 2020.

DOWNLOAD: Apprentices and trainees 2020 - June quarter

DOWNLOAD: Historical time series of apprenticeships and traineeships in Australia from 1963 to 2020

Data products and resources for this release:

General NCVER resources:

Enquiries: Helen Wildash M: 0448 043 148 E: helenwildash@ncver.edu.au


About NCVER: we are the main provider of research, statistics and data on Australia’s VET sector. Our services help promote better understanding of VET and assist policy-makers, practitioners, industry, training providers, and students to make informed decisions.

This work has been produced by NCVER on behalf of the Australian Government and state and territory governments, with funding provided through the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment.