Apprentice numbers on the rise

Apprenticeship numbers are continuing to increase in Australia as industry recovers from the extraordinary effects on business operations and investment in training through the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), there were 387,830 apprentices and trainees in-training as at 31 March 2022, an increase of 17.1 percent from 31 March 2021.

Growth was strongest in Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia.

The statistics for the 12 month showed commencements up 23.7 percent on the year prior to 234,700 and completions up 15.6 percent.

However cancellations and withdrawals were also up by 48.2 percent to 110,925

While the continuing rise should be interpreted cautiously because of Covid-19 trading conditions, it is also reflected in rapidly rising quarterly comparisons.

In the March quarter, 2022 compared with the March quarter, 2021:

• Commencements increased by 23.6 percent to 85,470
• Completions increased by 11.5 percent to 22,310
• And cancellations and withdrawals increased by 28.2 percent to 29,870.