Latest data shows Apprentice numbers decline while non trades increase

Data released yesterday by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) revealed the overall apprentice and trainee commencements were down by 3.7 per cent compared to the same period last year. The overall decrease can be attributed to a decline in the number of commencements in trade occupations, down 10.8% to 27 900 for the March 2016 quarter when compared with the March 2015 quarter.