The latest report from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) shows that the proportion of apprentices and trainees who were employed after training remained high in 2023.
The report, Apprentice and trainee outcomes 2023, shows that 95.6% of apprentices and trainees who completed their training in a trade occupation were employed after training, similar to 2022.
The majority of trade apprentice and trainee completers (70.3%) stayed with the same employer they had during their apprenticeship or traineeship. Of the trade completers who changed employers, 28.0% cited the main reason was they were offered a better job.
NCVER Managing Director Simon Walker explains, ‘The survey findings reflect the current demand for skilled workers with the vast majority of apprentices and trainees securing jobs and some taking the opportunity to change employers for a better job or pay’.
Most trade apprentices and trainees (68.3%) who cancelled or withdrew from their training reported an employment-related reason as the contributing factor. Common reasons included ‘the pay was too low, or they were unhappy with the workplace or work conditions’ (similar to 2022) and ‘they were offered a better job’ (up 7.3 percentage points from 2022).
Trade completers reported high levels of satisfaction with skills learnt on the job (91.4%) and with off-the-job training overall (86.4%).
Apprentices and trainees who completed their training in a non-trade occupation also experienced a high level of employment after training (89.7%) and high levels of satisfaction with the skills learnt on-the-job (88.9%) and off-the-job training overall (88.3%).
Background:
Apprentice and trainee outcomes 2023 is derived from the 2023 National Student Outcomes Survey. The report provides a summary of the outcomes of apprentices and trainees aged 15 years and over who completed or cancelled/withdrew from their apprenticeship or traineeship during 2022, with the data collected in mid-2023.
Download the report: Apprentice and trainee outcomes 2023
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.