New data available from the 2021 Census shows evidence of a significant rise in young people aged 15-24 years taking up an apprenticeship.  The Member for Mallee and Shadow Assistant Minister for Regional Development has said this is a pleasing result of good policy by the previous Morrison government.

“There have been 23.6 per cent more enrolments in vocational education from 2016 to 2021, with tradies hiring twice as many apprentices during the pandemic.’

“This is great news for the building industry and other trades where we have serious workforce challenges.

“It is also significant that many are choosing part time courses, where students can combine work with study.

“The previous Morrison Government introduced a subsidy where employers could take on apprentices or trainees and half their wage would be paid. The result was a surge in apprenticeships.”

Over 25% of employers now have an apprentice or trainee, which is the highest in a decade.  However, the subsidies will be cut from 50% to 10% on July 1. Dr Webster is urging the new government to continue the subsidies to keep growing our workforce and the skills needed.

“Every business owner I speak to is desperate for more workers.  While the unemployment rate is just 3.9%, there are still many people who could be in work. The opportunity to train on the job needs to be extended by the Albanese government. Workers don’t just float out of the sky, there are young people locally who are yet to get into the workforce and we need them to do so,” Dr Webster said.

“The challenges of taking on an unskilled trainee costs time and productivity until they become proficient. Businesses need assistance in difficult times to take them on after July 1.”