The latest data from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) shows that apprentice and trainee commencements appear to be returning to levels seen before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Apprentices and trainees 2023: March quarter report shows that apprentice and trainee commencements increased steeply during the pandemic. Although they have declined since the peak in 2022, they are still higher (by 13.1%) in the March 2023 quarter than in the same quarter in 2019 before the pandemic.
NCVER Managing Director Simon Walker said, “In late 2020, Federal Government incentives such as the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements (BAC) scheme helped increase apprentice and trainee commencements.”
“The data shows that commencements declined once the BAC scheme ended in June 2022, but appear to be returning to pre-pandemic levels some nine months later.”
When compared with the same quarter in 2022, apprentice and training commencements in the March quarter declined by 37.4% (or 37 225). The industry sectors with largest absolute decreases were Accommodation (66.5%), Construction (30.8%) and Administrative and Support Services (29.5%).
There were 387 505 apprentices and trainees in-training as at 31 March 2023, a decrease of 3.4% (or 13 470) from 31 March 2022.
Background:
Apprentices and trainees 2023: March 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.
Download the report: Apprentices and trainees 2023: March quarter
Related resources:
- 10 year time series – Apprentices and trainees 2023: March quarter
- DataBuilder - Apprentices and trainees 2023: March quarter
- Excel tables - Apprentices and trainees estimates review dashboard: March quarter 2023
- Supporting information (including terms and definitions, and adjustment notes)
Enquiries: Chantal Deutrom P: +61 8 8230 8418 E: chantaldeutrom@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 Employment and Workplace Relations.