Recent survey findings signal a positive development in the nation's skills shortage situation, with the number of Western Australians in an apprenticeship or traineeship having risen by a significant 100% in just over seven years.
These latest, promising figures were released last week from the Department of Education and Training.
Mark McGowan, Education and Training Minister, stated that "From February 2001 to May 2008 the number of apprentices and trainees in Western Australia grew from 18,743 to 37,421 - a massive one hundred percent."
There is also an increase in the number of Tasmanians commencing apprenticeships and traineeships.
According to latest figures from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), which were released last Thursday, the number of adults (aged 15 years and over) starting apprenticeships and traineeships rose by over 5% last year, compared with the national average rise of 3.7%.
David Bartlett, Premier and Minister for Education and Skills, welcomed these statistics, and commented "What I find especially pleasing is that we have a high percentage of people engaged in training, well above the national average."
"These statistics show that Tasmania has one of the highest completion rates, with over 67 per cent of Tasmanians finishing their apprenticeship or traineeship, compared with the national average of just under 50 per cent."
Mr Bartlett felt that "Tasmanian enterprises will benefit from this steady increase in qualified and skilled employees. It is also evidence that young and mature-age adults value this form of training and skill development to gain a qualification that will enable them to work and enjoy the benefits of economic growth."
Mr Bartlett also encouraged mature-age people, both existing workers and those wishing to enter employment, to seriously consider taking up an apprenticeship.
He said that "with our ageing population, and more people leaving the workforce than entering it in the very near future, existing employees are a vital resource.
I urge them to consider up-skilling or re-skilling in partnership with employers, and to take on an apprenticeship. It can never be too late."
