New research shows that employment outcomes for apprentices remain strong even if they do not complete the apprenticeship.
The National Centre for Vocational Education and Research (NCVER) Apprentice and trainee outcomes 2025 report found that employment outcomes remained strong even for apprentices who completed part of an apprenticeship, with more than three quarters (77 per cent) employed after leaving their apprenticeship.
More than 90 per cent of those who completed their training were satisfied with the skills they learnt on the job with high satisfaction also reported for off the job training
Across priority trades such as construction, electrotechnology and telecommunications, around 92 per cent of graduates improved their employment status, with most securing work
Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles, said these results reinforce the message that an apprenticeship is a great way for Australians to get skills in critically important industries that lead to secure, long-term careers.
“It demonstrates to Australians that learning a trade provides overwhelmingly positive job prospects and high satisfaction. It sets you up for life,” Giles said.
More than 4,000 Australians have begun housing construction apprenticeships in the first two months of 2026 while being supported by $10,000 incentive payments under the federal government’s Key Apprenticeship Program (KAP).
In January and February alone 4,379 apprenticeship commencements occurred under the program’s housing construction stream, with carpentry, plumbing and electrical all continuing to prove popular with apprentices.
From July 2025 to the end of February 2026, housing construction apprenticeship commencements under the program by state were:
- Victoria – 5,075
- New South Wales – 4,864
- Queensland - 3,999
- Western Australia – 2,018
- South Australia – 924
- Tasmania – 447
- Australian Capital Territory– 279
- Northern Territory – 123