Record high for trainee starters, apprentices decline
The number of people starting traineeships has increased to an all-time high in the December 2011 quarter.
Released by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), Apprentices and trainees 2011—early trend estimates, December quarter, provides seasonally adjusted data at the national level for apprentice and trainee commencements.
The number of trainee commencements increased to 58 600 in the December 2011 quarter, up from the previous high of 57 000 in the March 2011 quarter.
The increase marks a return to the steady upward trend displayed from the June 2009 quarter to the March 2011 quarter.
Apprentice commencements dipped, with 21 400 people starting in a trade in the December 2011 quarter, down from 23 500 in the previous quarter.
Apprentice commencements have decreased in four of the last five quarters.
NCVER will release detailed apprenticeship and traineeship information next month, with the release of the September 2011 quarterly data. This information will include national and state/territory level in-training, completion, and cancellation and withdrawal data.
Copies of Apprentices and trainees 2011—early trend estimates, December quarter are available from NCVER.
