The facts explaining Australia’s declining apprenticeship numbers are complex, but the consequences are very real, said the Housing Industry Association. Source: Timberbiz
Australia cannot afford to alienate a generation of youth by denying them access to a successful trade career,” said Graham Wolfe, Chief Executive – Industry Policy and Media. “Yet our declining traineeship and apprenticeship numbers seem to go unnoticed.
“The drop in apprenticeship positions places pressure on our unemployment numbers, our future workforce capacity and adds unnecessary risk to our national economic performance. These risks are avoidable.
“Apprenticeship and traineeship programs are an investment in our youth, their training, their careers and their futures. Importantly, they are an investment in Australia’s future.”
But apprenticeship data released by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) in June shows that traineeship and apprenticeship numbers fell by more than 45% over the past four years.
“The number of apprentices declined by more than 10% in just 12 months,” Mr Wolfe said.
“It is imperative that our political leaders channel the untapped energy, confidence and courage of Australia’s youth into successful, rewarding and productive careers and develop the business leaders of tomorrow.
“There is no more salient message for our political leaders – support and promote our vocational education and training programs and provide a fair go for apprenticeships.
“We can’t continue to overlook the deterioration in apprenticeship numbers. Each and every vocational training spot that disappears represents a missed opportunity for another young Australian, and a future weakness in our workforce and national economy.
“The incoming Federal Government must act urgently to reverse the rapidly declining number of apprenticeships across Australia by attracting, supporting and encouraging apprentices in areas of genuine skills shortage.”
