Tapping into Australia’s strength's
Apprenticeship & Traineeship Conference
Melbourne – 15 July 2014
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1. A snapshot of apprentices in Australia
2. A snapshot of the policy settings for apprenticeships
3. VET in Schools ‘Trade Training Centre Project’
4. Leveraging international education
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 392,200 apprentices and trainees
 The largest age cohort was 25 – 44 years
 The largest age cohort commencing - 19 years and
under
 The majority were in technical and trade areas
 2/3 were male
 NSW had the largest number in training (followed by
Victoria and Queensland respectively).
Source: NCVER (2013). Australian vocational education and training statistics, Apprentices and trainees,
December quarter, 2013
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In-training, seasonally adjusted, 2003–13 (’000)
Source: NCVER (2013). Australian vocational education and training statistics, Apprentices and trainees,
December quarter, 2013
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Trade and non-trade commencements seasonally adjusted, 2003–13 (’000)
Source: NCVER (2013). Australian vocational education and training statistics, Apprentices and trainees,
December quarter, 2013
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Complexity of the system across multiple jurisdictions

Low completion rates – average of 48%
◦ approximately 20% of trade apprentices drop out by the end of their first year
◦ 30% by the end of the second year

Declining commencements
◦ Decreasing interest by students in apprenticeship careers
◦ Low participation by females
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Low investment by employers
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Impact of the expansion of the university sector
◦ Lowering percentile of high school reading and mathematics for apprentices/trainees
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‘One size all’ incentive schemes for employers
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Stakeholders are calling for services that will help employers
recruit, train and retain apprentices, assist individuals to make an
informed choice about an apprenticeship that’s right for them
and lift retention and completion rates.
Three priorities for VET:
1. Industry – led
2. Growth in apprentices
3. Cutting red tape (Minister Macfarlane, Skills Summit,
2014).
Source: Minister’s speech to the National Skills Summit, 25 June, 2014
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Budget Programme 1: Building Skills and Capability
Enable
growth and productivity for globally competitive industries
Shift
from traditional manufacturing base to knowledge intensive
competitiveindustries in areas of global growth such as:
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Food and agribusiness;

mining equipment, technology and services;
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medical technologies and pharmaceuticals;
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oil and gas;
and advanced manufacturing including defence and
aerospace.
Source: PORTFOLIO BUDGET STATEMENTS 2014-15, INDUSTRY PORTFOLIO
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Programme 1: Building Skills and Capability
1.
Growth in the number and proportion of Australians with VET
skills
2.
Growth in number of skilled employees in knowledge industries
3.
Growth in the number of apprentices
4.
Growth in the apprenticeship completion rate
5.
Change in reported employer satisfaction with VET graduates
6.
Contribution to productivity growth
7.
Changes in individual returns from investment in education and
training.
Source: Portfolio Budget Statements 2014-15, INDUSTRY PORTFOLIO, 2014
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Overall reduction in investment in skills training of $1.1 B
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The cessation of the Tools for Your trade (TFYT) programme from 1
July 2014 ( up to $5,500)
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Implementation of Trade Support Loan Scheme ($20,000 loans to be
repaid when income exceeds 53,345).
◦ For apprentices undertaking a Certificates III or IV qualification in
an occupation on the National Skills Needs List and certain
Certificates II-IV agriculture/horticulture qualifications.
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Accelerated Australian Apprenticeships Program
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Australian Apprenticeship Access
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Alternative Pathways Programme
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Australian Apprenticeships Mentoring Program
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Workforce English Language and Literacy (WELL) Program
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Apprenticeship to Business Owner Program
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Australian Apprenticeships Access Program
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Step Into Skills Program
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Incentives for higher technical skills
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Skills Connect Fund
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Item
2014/15
2015/16
Reduction
Australian
Apprenticeship
Centres
$219,418
$210,757
$8,661
Australian
Apprenticeship
Incentives program
$576,212
$443,627
$132,585
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TREND LINE – INCREASE IN VETiS ENROLMENTS
But ……
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Improve pathways for apprentices: EG
◦ Pre-apprenticeship programs
◦ VET in Schools models
◦ School based apprentices, alternate TTCs (reference to Productivity Commission)
◦ Higher qualifications (post trade)
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Provide better support for employers and apprentices/trainees
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Value apprenticeships and traineeships
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Improve career advice and screening services (LL&N)
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Weight the incentives for employers to successful outcomes
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Consider how young people are included in growing global industries
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4. TDA Offshore Partnership Survey - results
2011
2013
41 responses
30 with offshore
partnerships
39 responses
22 with offshore
partnerships
PARTNERSHIPS
247
161
China
95
91
PNG
8
15
South Korea
16
7
Malaysia
8
4
Singapore
11
4
India
28
3
Students
offshore
58,516
n/a
TAFE Institute
Survey
Partnering with China – Chinese VET College’s
priorities
Interviews conducted with College Principals and Vice Principals
revealed the following priorities:
Curriculum Development
Funding models for partnering
Staff and student mobility/ exchange
Improving quality of colleges, specifically in standards of
learning and teaching
• Improving student’s employment prospects
• Internationalisation
•
•
•
•
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Key success factors for
young people in VET in
Schools:
◦ Valuing pathway programs
◦ Strong career advice/support
◦ Partnerships between
employers, education and
community;
◦ Proving structured learning in
work settings
◦ Tailored curriculum
◦ Learning support
◦ Focusing on students’ needs
and interests
Policy
Funding
Partnerships
Innovative
Training
Pathways
Monitoring
and
Support
◦
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4. SUMMARY
Tap into Australia’s strength’s ….
STRENGTH
OPPORTUNITY
Apprenticeships
Clean up brand confusion across
occupations
EG trade v non trade ??
System complexity
Role of Australian Apprenticeship
Centres
Value for Money ??
VETiS
Leveraging growth
& aligning with global industry
vision
International
Supporting quality skills in
regional international markets
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