Data released by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) has indicated a decline in the total number of apprentices and trainees in-training by the end of March 2024, with noticeable differences emerging between trade and non-trade occupations.
According to the Apprentices and Trainees 2024: March Quarter report, there were 351,695 apprentices and trainees actively in-training, reflecting a decrease of 34,570 (8.9 per cent) compared to the same period in 2023.
This decline was mostly driven by non-trade occupations, which saw a drop of 30,585 (21.3 per cent), reducing the number to 112,895.
More than half of this reduction occurred in the Clerical and Administrative Workers category, which decreased by 16,610, with notable losses in roles such as Office and Practice Managers (down 6,365) and General Clerks (down 6,055) across various industry sectors.
The report highlighted that the trade sector was relatively more stable, experiencing a smaller decrease of 3,945 (1.6 per cent), bringing the total to 238,765 apprentices and trainees in trades.
Among the hardest-hit trade sectors were Engineering, ICT, and Science Technicians, which saw a reduction of 2,980 positions, while Food Trades workers decreased by 2,100.
However, the Automotive and Engineering Trades Workers category saw a positive trend, with an increase of 3,115, along with Electrotechnology and Telecommunications Trades Workers, up by 2,115.
“Trade in-training numbers have fallen by 4.3% since their peak in June 2022,” NCVER Managing Director John King said.
He added, “In contrast, non-trades have decreased 36.9% since the June 2022 peak, falling back to around 20% above pre-pandemic levels.”
For more information, the full report is available for download here.
