Most trade apprentices who don’t complete their training cite employment-related reasons for leaving, highlighting how crucial the employer’s role is in supporting them to finish their apprenticeships.
The report Traditional trade apprenticeships: experiences and outcomes examines findings from the 2019 Apprentice and Trainee Experience and Destination Survey, and from focus groups held with apprentices to understand their perspective on what’s effective, what’s not, and what needs improvement.
NCVER Managing Director Simon Walker said that trade apprentices report high levels of satisfaction with their off-the-job training even if they don’t complete their apprenticeship.
“Where we see differences are with their on-the-job experiences; non-completers are much less satisfied with their working conditions, supervision, pay, types of work, and their relationships with co-workers than those who complete their apprenticeships.”
People overwhelmingly choose a trade apprenticeship because they want to work in that kind of job (or because they just want to work in general), and completing that apprenticeship can have a big impact on a workers’ employment outcomes and earning potential.
“Over 90 per cent of those who’d completed their trade apprenticeships were employed in 2019, compared with about 75 per cent of those who hadn’t, and completers working in full-time jobs were earning around $19 000 more per annum,” Mr Walker said.
Traditional trade apprenticeships: experiences and outcomes is a companion report to 2 others released earlier this year:
- Traditional trade apprenticeships: training activity, employer incentives and international practice
- Traditional trade apprenticeships: learnings from the field
Related resources:
- Apprentice and trainee experience and destinations 2019
- Apprentice and trainee experience and destinations - 2008, 2010 and 2019 (time series report)
- Latest VET statistics dashboard
- Timeline of Australian VET policy initiatives 1998-2019
Media enquiries: Helen Wildash, PR and Social Media Officer 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.