The most recent data on apprentice and trainee training activity is now available for the September quarter 2020. Fluctuations below are as compared with the September quarter 2019:
- Total commencements decreased 23.0% to 26 585
- Total completions decreased 17.2% to 16 845
- Cancellations and withdrawals decreased 21.4% to 16 990
- Total number of apprentices and trainees in-training as at 30 September 2020 was 264 425, down 4.2%.
Apprentices and trainees 2020 – September 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.
The number of commencing apprenticeships in trade occupations was down 28.2% to 11 725 in the September quarter 2020, with some of the biggest decreases seen in construction trade workers and automotive and engineering trade workers.
Commencements in non-trade occupations were down 18.3% to 14 860, with some of the larger declines seen in sports and personal service workers and hospitality workers.
The number of sports and personal service workers and construction trade workers completing their training declined considerably, down 68.6% and 18.1% respectively.
Quotes attributable to NCVER Managing Director Simon Walker
Both apprentice and trainee commencements and completions were down considerably on those of the last several September quarters. Compared with the same time in 2019, the number of trade apprentices at 30 September 2020 had decreased by 1.7% and numbers in non-trades by 9.2%.
There is some positive news, with the number of students completing an apprenticeship or traineeship in the Government sector increasing by 27.5% from the September quarter 2019.
These numbers are prior to the introduction of the Australian Government’s Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidy in October 2020.
DOWNLOAD: Apprentices and trainees 2020 – September quarter
Data products and resources for this release:
- Use the DataBuilder to create your own tables
- Compare the data by state
- Estimates review dashboard for apprentices and trainees
General NCVER resources:
- About our statistics and data
- Latest VET statistics dashboard
- Timeline of Australian VET policy initiatives 1998 – 2020 provides policy context on the changing VET landscape
Enquiries: Deanne Loan M: 0413 523 691 E: deanneloan@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.