QUEENSLAND AGAIN AHEAD IN APPRENTICESHIPS AND TRAINEESHIPS

Queensland continues to outstrip the nation in the uptake of apprenticeships and traineeships according to national figures released today.

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford said the number of Queenslanders commencing apprenticeships and traineeships for the 12 months to the end of December 2006 had increased by just over nine per cent on the previous year.

“This is an outstanding achievement for Queensland, with 57,500 people taking up apprenticeships and traineeships in that period,” Mr Welford said.

“The figures from the National Centre for Vocational Education and Research show the annual growth for the same period Australia-wide was 1.7 per cent.

“It is particularly pleasing to see that Queensland is well ahead of the national level in the uptake of traditional apprenticeships, with a 26.5 percent annual growth in this category.

“That’s more than three times the national increase.

“The report shows Queensland had almost 82,000 apprentices and trainees in training as at 31 December 2006, 8.5 per cent up on the previous year.

“Overall, the latest figures indicate that initiatives outlined in the Queensland Government’s $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan are paying dividends for our state.”

Mr Welford said government, industry, training organisations and other interested groups were continuing to develop close working relationships to ensure skills needs were met.

“Queensland also recorded strong growth in the number of commencements of school-based apprenticeships and traineeships, with an increase of 21.5 per cent over the previous 12 months,” he said.

“This is almost double the national increase of 11.4 per cent.

“Queensland is leading the way in addressing the nation’s skills shortage and our strong training culture will ensure the state remains competitive in the international economy.”

Mr Welford is meeting with Federal and State Training Ministers in Brisbane today for the Ministerial Council on Vocational and Technical Education to set priorities for training education and discuss issues affecting the sector.

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