The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) has published its research into apprentices and trainees for the 2010 year.

 

The research found that 3.8 per cent of all Australian workers were employed as apprentices as of December 2010, compared with 3.1 per cent in 2000, while 12.1 per cent of all employees in the trades were employed as apprentices or trainees.

 

The report also shows that completion rates of apprenticeships are still low, with 46.2 per cent of all trade apprentices completing their apprenticeships. Non-trade apprenticeship completion was also found to be lingering at 52.2 per cent.

 

However, overall commencements increased by 15.7 per cent, with trade commencements up 21.9 per cent since 2009.

 

The research also indicates that attrition rates from contracts with the first 20 months for apprentices and trainees have remained steady between 2003 and 2009, ranging from 30.5 per cent to 32.9 per cent.

 

The report also shows that 30.1 per cent of trade apprentices and trainees completing at certificate III and above in 2010 finished their training in two years or less, compared with 20.8 per cent in 200.

 

The two reports can be downloaded here

 

Completion and attrition rates for apprentices and trainees 2010

 

 

Apprentices and trainees 2010: annual