More people started trade apprenticeships and traineeships in the March quarter 2015 than non-trade apprenticeships and traineeships, according to the latest data.
Published by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), Apprentices and trainees 2015 – March quarter shows 31 900 people commenced a trade apprenticeship or traineeship in the first quarter of this year compared with 28 400 starts in non-trade apprenticeships or traineeships.
In the March 2014 quarter by comparison, more people started non-trade apprenticeships and traineeships than trade; there were 31 300 non-trade commencements compared with 29 800 trade commencements.
“The increase in trade commencements in the March 2015 quarter was predominantly driven by increases in the construction and plumbing trades”, said Dr Mette Creaser, National Manager, Statistics and Analytics.
Overall slightly fewer people started apprenticeships and traineeships in the March 2015 quarter than in the March 2014 quarter, down 1.2% to 60 400.
“When business confidence is subdued, fewer employers take on apprentices and trainees, so in view of the labour market conditions in the first quarter of this year, we expected to see fewer people starting apprenticeships and traineeships”, said Dr Creaser.
Copies of Australian vocational education and training statistics: Apprentices and trainees 2015 – March quarter, are available from www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2820.html
This work has been produced by NCVER on behalf of the Australian Government and state and territory governments, with funding provided through the Department of Education and Training.
Media enquiries: Anna Payton, Media and Communications Officer, +61 8 8230 8638 or 0413 606 134