Latest apprentice data no cause to celebrate
04 Dec 2018 | Media Release
Australia’s largest and most representative business network, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has renewed its call to accelerate action through the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) to boost falling apprentice and trainee numbers, following the release of the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) latest results today.
Apprentices and trainee commencements fell by 3.3 percent to 35,280 in the June quarter 2018, compared to the same quarter in 2017, according to the Apprentices and Trainees 2018 June quarter estimates.
The year ending 30 June 2018 saw a decrease in commencements of 0.6 percent compared with the previous year.
“The business community remains very concerned by the steady decline in the number of apprentices and trainees being trained,” Australian Chamber CEO, James Pearson, said today.
“We welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcements last week to review and reform the Vocational Education and Training system. Today’s figures underline the need for further, urgent action to turn things around.
“There has not been enough progress through the Skilling Australians Fund, which has yet to make much impact 18 months after it was announced.
“We are pleased South Australia is the first state to commence projects but there is still a long way to go. Between 2014 and 2018, in-training figures as at 30 June for South Australia fell by over 40 percent. There are similar stories to tell in other states and territories.
“We need action from the Commonwealth and all States and Territories; and we need it now.
“Business is ready, willing and able to work with governments to get projects off the ground.
“Business faces pressing skill shortages. We know what many of the problems are with apprenticeships and we have good ideas on how to solve them. Government should bring industry to the table immediately, alongside state and territory governments, so we can get on with the job together.”
Related News
Business mood cools but remains positive - survey results reveal
13/12/2018
The fourth-quarter results of the Australian Chamber-Westpac survey of Industrial trends, released today, show the outlook for Australian industry remains positive, but reinforces the need...
Building and Construction Commission vital to protecting workers' interests
12/12/2018
Record instances of law-breaking on Queensland construction sites over the past year reinforce the vital role of the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC), the...
Migration works for all of us
11/12/2018
Australia’s largest and most representative business network has called on political leaders to recognise the benefits that a strong migration program delivers to all Australians...
Business Welcomes Closing of Casual Employment Loophole
11/12/2018
“Government is to be congratulated for closing a loophole that has created months of uncertainty and called into question the employment of hundreds of thousands...
Australia no longer strike bound - but right to strike alive and well
6/12/2018
“New data released today by the ABS confirms that Australians not only have the right to strike but use it, contrary to the exaggerations of...
Australian Chamber welcomes the inclusion of domestic violence leave in national employment standards
6/12/2018
Australia’s largest and most representative business network, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, today welcomed...
A positive first step towards repairing our industrial relations system
6/12/2018
“Parliament should be congratulated for taking an important first step towards repairing our industrial relations system," Scott Barklamb, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry's...
Business opposes federal energy divestment powers
3/12/2018
The Federal Government should drop its plans to introduce the Electricity Price Monitoring and Response Legislative Framework Bill 2018 in its current form, Australia’s largest...
Vocational Education and Training gets the attention it deserves
29/11/2018
Australia’s largest and most representative business network, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has warmly welcomed the vocational education and training (VET) announcements made...
New facts expose false claims from big unions on how Australians work
29/11/2018
“New data released today exposes false claims by big unions about how Australians work,” Australian Chamber CEO, James Pearson, said in response to the latest...
Prime Minister to address Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry Annual Dinner
28/11/2018
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will tonight address more than 350 members, supporters and guests of Australia’s largest and most representative business network at the Australian...
Labor announcement highlights need for national agreement on energy
22/11/2018
In response to Opposition Leader Bill Shorten’s speech on Labor energy policy today, Australia’s largest and most representative business network, the Australian Chamber of Commerce...
ACTU playing too casual with the facts
19/11/2018
Australia’s largest and most representative business voice, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, today called on the ACTU to end its unjustified attack on Australians...
Business concerned about reports of cut to permanent migration intake
16/11/2018
Cuts to Australia’s permanent migration program would be a major concern to business and should be a concern to all Australians, the Australian Chamber of...
Business welcomes positive jobs growth
15/11/2018
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reporting of 25,400 new jobs in October – an increase of 7,800 above the number of new jobs created...
THE FACTS: WAGES ARE GROWING
14/11/2018
The ACTU is sowing confusion by claiming wages are staying low following the latest wage growth data. The facts are the Australian Bureau of Statistics...
Australian Chamber welcomes federal government’s support for small business
14/11/2018
"The government's decision to improve access for small businesses to finance is welcome,” James Pearson, Chief Executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry...
International Visitors Survey reflects the high value delivered by Tourism
2/11/2018
Australia’s peak body of tourism organisations, Australian Chamber-Tourism, welcomes the growth in value delivered by international visitors to Australia, with total trip spend increasing 5...
Inflation report highlights need for policy reform
31/10/2018
The Australian Bureau of Statistics today released inflation figures for the September quarter. Headline inflation was below the RBA’s target of 2-3%, rising 0.4% for...
Business welcomes regional apprenticeship pilot; more action needed to support national apprenticeship growth
31/10/2018
Australia’s largest and most representative business network, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has...