Apprentice and trainee commencements grew nationally to 47 785 (or by 114 per cent) in the June quarter 2021 compared with the same quarter in 2020.
The rise in the June quarter continues the trend from the previous two quarters in which commencements increased by 40 per cent from the March quarter 2020 to 2021 and by 150 per cent from the December quarter 2019 to 2020.
Data released yesterday from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) show the increase in the June quarter was reported across nearly all industry sectors.
The largest increase occurred in construction (up 5275 or 96 per cent).
NCVER managing director, Simon Walker, said annual apprentice and trainee commencements are at their highest level since the year ending June 2014.
“Numbers increased in all states and territories and across nearly all industry sectors,” he said.
Commencements in trade group occupations increased to 20 905 (or by 115.5 per cent) and to 26 875 (or by 112.9 per cent) in non-trade group occupations compared with June quarter 2020.
As at 30 June 2021, there were 341 385 apprentices and trainees in-training, an increase of 73 665 (or 27.5 per cent) compared with 30 June 2020.
Compared with the June quarter 2020, completions were up 21.2 per cent to 17 795 in the June quarter 2021.