DATA SHOWS INCREASE IN TRADE APPRENTICESHIPS

New data has revealed the Albanese Government’s plan to boost the number of skilled tradies across the country is showing positive signs, with a more than 70% rise in the number of trade apprenticeship commencements, since 2019.

 The data, released by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), shows that the Albanese Government’s investment is contributing to more people taking up trades and apprenticeships in critical skills areas.

 Compared to the June 2023 quarter, overall commencement numbers are up 14.3%, with trade occupation commencements up 18.1% on the comparable 2023 quarter.

 Overall commencements are up nearly 30% on the June 2019 quarter.

 Trade commencements over the comparable pre-covid period are up by 71.7%.

Similarly, trade completions increased by 15.4%, and 32% for construction workers in particular.

 These are the tradies building the critical housing and infrastructure our nation needs.

 A number of key demographics have seen significant increases in apprenticeship commencements, reflecting the Albanese Government’s focus for every Australian to gain the skills they want in the sectors we need.

 That includes:

•  118% increase in women in male dominated trades
• 26.8% increase in first nations commencements
• 80.6% increase in critical skill shortage areas of carpentry, electrical & plumbing

 The Albanese Government is committed to attracting even more people into areas of skills shortage, after it inherited the worst skills shortage in half a century from the former Liberal and National Government.

 It’s why we are investing in Free TAFE, which the LNP has labelled ‘wasteful spending’.

 Since the Free TAFE program started, more than 508,000 Australians have enrolled in a course to change their life.

 The Albanese Government is also funding 20,000 additional Free TAFE and VET construction and housing places. These TAFE qualifications will open doors to trades and apprenticeships, in the areas we need to see workforce growth.

 Quotes attributable to Skills and Training Minister Andrew Giles:

 “This new data is clear evidence that what the Albanese Labor Government is doing to ensure Australians are getting the skills they want and which we need, is working.

 "The Albanese Government is investing in the next generation of our workforce, through Free TAFE, VET and importantly, apprentice support.

 “Importantly, we’ve seen growth in some key areas like women in male-dominated trades, first nations commencements, as well as construction.

“Peter Dutton and the Liberals ripped $3 billion from TAFE and training, which left Australia with a massive skills shortage and they continue to talk down Australia’s skills and training sector.

“The Liberals wasted almost $30 million dollars in hand outs for ‘Hamburger University’, courses with a 60% dropout rate.  

“There is a clear choice - under Peter Dutton and the Liberals there will be no Free TAFE and there is no plan to build for the future. Under an Albanese Government Free TAFE is here to stay, with more tradies and training for Australians that need it.”