Quarterly apprentice-and trainee statistics on the Australian vocational education and training system, conducted in September 2007, have recently been released by the The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER).
Overall the report paints a positive picture of a growing number of apprentices and trainees starting, maintaining and completing their programs compared to 2006.
As at the end of September 2007 there were 418, 800 apprentices and trainees compared with 364,500 in 2002. This is an increase on the participation rate from 2006.
While the report provides estimates on all states and on a range of measures such as commencement, completion and cancellation - it doesn't provide causal information on the social, economic or educational factors which may contribute to a young person deciding to do a trade.
And it is young people we are talking about in the estimates.
Who is starting an apprenticeship?
The report determined that the key characteristics of a person starting their apprenticeship or traineeship was:
- 41% were aged 19 and under
- 59% were male
- 30% were starting a trade apprenticeship
- 32% were starting a traineeship in a service, clerical or sales field
- 74% were 'newly commenced workers' (i.e. never worked with that employer before)
Key trends
Statistics comparing apprentice and trainee activity show:
- The number of people commencing an apprenticeship or traineeship increased by 5% (to 277 100 since 2006)
- The number of people completing an apprenticeship or traineeship rose by 4% (to 144 200 since 2006)
- The number of people undertaking a ‘traditional apprenticeship’ went up 9% (to 170 300 since 2006).
Challenges ahead
NCVER's estimates show the number of apprenticeship/traineeship places is moving in the right direction.
However, it is still some distance from providing the supply of workers needed in some 200,000 unfilled job vacancies which currently define Australia's skills shortage.
The number of people cancelling or withdrawing from an apprenticeship or traineeship grew by 6% (to 133 800 since 2006) is perhaps the one worth focussing on.
So, why are apprentices/trainees quitting their programs? The Australian Industry Group's A Guide to Managing the First 100 Days of an Apprenticeship tracked 70 apprentices and compiled the results to produce a best practice guide. Their research found that low pay and difficult travel requirements were the key threat to apprentices and trainees. Whilst a work site may often be beyond the control of employers, it is fair to say that pay rates are firmly controlled by businesses employing apprentices.
That report also confirms NCVER's finding on cancellations and that employers will need to work closer with career advisors and training bodies to:
- Devise ways of providing adequate advice to young people before they select the wrong field
- Ensure that apprentices are paid properly rather than seen as 'cheap labour'
- Become better trained at managing, teaching and engaging young people in their businesses for the long term.
This fundamental challenge is the foundation by which to change perceptions about apprenticeships and traineeships.
Brian Wexham, Chief Executive Officer of The Institute for Trade Skills Excellence believes that parents, employers and teachers must play a role in improving young people's views towards apprenticeships and the self esteem of people who've chosen that path.
"SkillsOne focuses on helping young people change their attitudes and perceptions so that as they come into the workforce, they don't simply see themselves as failures because they haven't chosen the University path," says Wexham.
"Trades and vocational skills give people different options. There is no one right way to be a success or begin a career, and University is not the only pathway. We cannot address our skills shortage with migration alone. This must be combined with changing attitudes so that future supply for the labour force is diverted into career paths that fulfill their passion, inspires, and takes account of the very special gifts and talents we all have."
Image source: NCVER 2007 Australian vocational education and training statistics.
