The number of people starting a trade apprenticeship has decreased compared with the previous three quarters of record commencements, but remains above levels recorded before the global financial crisis.
Released by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), Apprentices and trainees—early trend estimates, March quarter 2011, provides seasonally adjusted data at the national level for trade and non-trade commencements for apprenticeships and traineeships.
The trend indicates that 23 200 people started a trade apprenticeship in the March quarter 2011, marking a downturn in commencements after seven consecutive quarters of growth.
The number of non-trade traineeship commencements also slowed to 54 300 new trainees in the March quarter 2011. However, the level of commencements remains high, following on from seven consecutive quarters of growth.
NCVER will release detailed apprenticeship and traineeship information later this month, with the release of December quarter 2010 data. This information will include national and state/territory level in-training, completion, and cancellation and withdrawal data.
Copies of Australian vocational education and training statistics: Apprentices and trainees—early trend estimates, March quarter 2011 is available from www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2366.html
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