Apprentice and Trainee Outcomes 2022: A Look at Employment and Training Trends in Australia

The latest report from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) reveals that employment outcomes for apprentices and trainees remain high. The report, Apprentice and trainee outcomes 2022, indicates that 94.9% of apprentices and trainees who completed their training in a trade occupation were employed after training, which is similar to the employment rate of the previous year. Moreover, 67.7% of these apprentices and trainees were employed with the same employer as their apprenticeship or traineeship. For those who completed their training in non-trade occupations, 89.3% were employed after training, which is an increase of 1.7 percentage points from 2021, and of these, 70.9% were with the same employer as their apprenticeship or traineeship.

The report also provides insights into the employment outcomes of apprentices and trainees who did not complete their training. Approximately 84% of non-completers, from both trade and non-trade occupations, were employed after leaving their training. This indicates that even if an apprentice or trainee does not complete their training, the skills and knowledge they acquire through their training can still help them secure employment.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the apprenticeship and traineeship sector. The report shows that 15.0% of trade completers and 17.8% of non-trade completers had their on-the-job training delayed due to the pandemic. Additionally, 32.2% of trade completers and 22.2% of non-trade completers experienced longer than intended off-the-job training due to the pandemic.

Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, satisfaction with off-the-job training remained steady in 2022, with 87.2% of trade completers and 89.3% of non-trade completers satisfied overall with their off-the-job training. This indicates that vocational education and training (VET) providers are able to adapt their delivery methods to ensure that off-the-job training remains effective and engaging, even in the face of the pandemic.

It is important to note that the NCVER report does not cover the impact of the pandemic on employment outcomes for apprentices and trainees beyond the completion of their training. The long-term effects of the pandemic on the labour market and employment opportunities for apprentices and trainees remain to be seen.

The high employment outcomes for apprentices and trainees are a testament to the value of VET in Australia. Apprenticeships and traineeships provide a pathway for individuals to gain practical skills and knowledge in a range of industries, leading to sustainable employment and career opportunities. Employers also benefit from apprenticeships and traineeships, as they are able to train and develop their workforce to meet their specific business needs.

To ensure that apprentices and trainees continue to have access to high-quality training and employment opportunities, it is important for VET providers and employers to work together to support and promote apprenticeships and traineeships. This includes providing comprehensive support for apprentices and trainees throughout their training, such as mentoring, on-the-job training, and access to industry networks and support services.

Furthermore, it is important for VET providers to continuously review and update their training programs to ensure they meet the needs of industry and provide apprentices and trainees with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the workforce. This involves staying up to date with industry trends and changes, as well as engaging with employers and industry bodies to ensure that training programs align with industry needs.

In conclusion, the high employment outcomes for apprentices and trainees in Australia are a positive indication of the value of VET in the Australian economy. However, it is important to continue to support and promote apprenticeships and traineeships to ensure that individuals have access to high-quality training

References:  

National Centre for Vocational Education Research. (2022). Apprentice and trainee outcomes 2022. Retrieved from https://www.ncver.edu.au/research-and-statistics/publications/all-publications/apprentice-and-trainee-outcomes-2022