The National Centre for Vocational Education Research has released the Australian apprentice and trainee statistics for the March quarter 2012.

 

In total there were 470 100 apprentices and trainees in-training as at the end of March 2012, an increase of 2.4% from the previous year.

 

Comparing apprentice and trainee activity in the year to 31 March 2012 with the year to 31 March 2011:

  • the number of people commencing in trades occupations decreased by 2.6%
  • the number of people commencing in non-trades occupations increased by 4.7%
  • the number of people completing apprenticeships and traineeships increased by 8.6%.


In the shorter-term, seasonally adjusted data show between December quarter 2011 and March quarter 2012:

  • trades commencements decreased by 2.4% 
  • non-trades commencements increased by 1.4%.

 

The report, Australian vocational education and training statistics: Apprentices and trainees, March quarter 2012, is available here.