TRADITIONAL TRADE TRAINING ATTRACTS RECORD NUMBERS

Queensland is leading the way in the battle against skills shortages, with apprenticeships and traineeships increasing at more than double the national rate.

Education and Training Minister, Rod Welford, said new figures released today by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research for the 12 months to the end of June 2006 showed Queensland apprenticeships and traineeships had increased by 5.8 per cent.

“This is an outstanding achievement for Queensland, with 54,900 people taking up apprenticeships and traineeships in that period,” Mr Welford said.

“The national increase over the same time was 2.5 per cent, meaning that Queensland is more than leading the way in addressing our skills shortage.

“We have made some significant gains in increasing training numbers in Queensland over the past 12 months.”

The largest increase was recorded by Queenslanders starting apprenticeships in traditional trades which jumped by more than 31 per cent in the year ending June 2006.

“This is almost three times the national average and with the implementation of the $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan, I’m confident these numbers will continue to grow,” Mr Welford said.

“The traditional trades sector is one of the state’s key skills shortage areas and it is pleasing to see such a significant increase in these apprenticeships.

“They now account for 43 per cent of all training contracts in Queensland, again above the national average of 39 per cent.”

The NCVER figures also show growth in the number of students starting school-based apprenticeships and traineeships – up by 26 per cent over the previous 12 months.

“From these figures it’s clear that school-leavers and secondary school students are getting the message that a trade apprenticeship offers an exciting, secure and well-paid career,” Mr Welford said.

In total, the number of apprentices and trainees “in-training” in Queensland at 30 June 2006 was 82,300.

Media contact: Marnie Stitz on 3237 1000 or 0419 734 985