Skilled Workforce on the Rise: 14% Increase in Australian Apprentices and Trainees
The recent National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) Apprentices and Trainees Report underscored a remarkable 14% surge in the number of apprentices and trainees in training, which spiked to 402,245 in the September quarter of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021, indicating a strong interest and demand for vocational education.
But it’s not just the number of apprentices and trainees in training that has risen; the completion rate also saw a dramatic upswing of 33.4% from the same quarter last year, with 24,655 apprentices and trainees completing their training.
This surge can be attributed to the high demand for skilled workers across various industries, especially amid the pandemic. Many businesses are keen on upskilling their existing workforce, and apprenticeships and traineeships have emerged as viable solutions to this challenge. With this trend, we expect continued growth in apprenticeships and traineeships to address the skills gap and support workforce development.
NCVER Apprentices and Trainees Report 2022 Key Insights for RTOs
The NCVER apprentices and trainees 2022 report highlighted some positive developments in the industry. These developments could impact registered training organisations (RTOs) in Australia, which provide the training and qualifications required for apprenticeships and traineeships.
Here are some points on what this means for your RTO:
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Increased demand for apprenticeships and traineeships
The rise in the number of apprentices and trainees in training by 14% indicated a growing demand for these programs.
PRO TIP: You could leverage this opportunity by promoting and marketing your programs to potential students.
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Growth opportunity in trade occupations
According to the NCVER report, the trade occupations have experienced the highest increase in completions, rising to 13,130 (46.6%) in the September quarter of 2022. RTOs offering training in trades such as construction, plumbing, and electrical work could see a surge in demand for their services.
PRO TIP: You could focus on offering high-quality training in these occupations to meet the growing demand.
Check out our article on the Latest Construction, Plumbing, and Services Training Package Update here.
The new interactive chart feature of the NCVER report allows users to visualise the apprentice and trainee data trends across various contract statuses.
PRO TIP: You could use this tool to analyse trends in the industry and adjust their training programs accordingly.
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Strong employment outcomes
The report indicated that most apprentices and trainees who completed their training were employed afterwards. As of May 2022, 94.9% of apprentices and trainees who completed their apprenticeship or traineeship in a trade occupation got hired after training.
PRO TIP: You could use this outcome to promote the effectiveness of your training programs in terms of employment outcomes and attract more students.
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Emphasis on non-trade occupations
While the focus has been on trade occupations, the report also showed increased completions in non-trade works. Those who completed non-trade professions experienced an 89.3% employment rate after training, up 1.7% from last year.
PRO TIP: You could offer a diverse range of training programs to cater to students’ interests and meet the demand for non-trade occupations.
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Focus on satisfaction with off-the-job training
The report showed a high satisfaction rate for off-the-job training among trade and non-trade completers, 87.2% and 89.3%, respectively.
PRO TIP: You could focus on providing quality off-the-job training to ensure increased student satisfaction rates.
Conclusion
The NCVER Apprentices and Trainees report revealed a positive shift in apprenticeships and traineeships, with strong employment outcomes and training satisfaction ratings at an all-time high.
You can maximise the NCVER data to adjust your training programs and marketing strategies to meet the growing demand for these programs and improve student employment outcomes.
This latest NCVER report is a promising sign for Australia’s apprenticeships and traineeships’ future, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic.
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