Supporting Tasmanian infrastructure with more apprentices completing training

The Rockliff Liberal Government’s focus on a skilled workforce to support our economy is delivering results, according to the latest figures released this week.

Minister for Skills, Training and Workforce Growth, Felix Ellis, said the new figures show an increase in apprentice and trainee completions over the previous 12 months from March 2022 to March 2023.

“Apprenticeships and traineeships are critical in meeting employers’ needs for skilled employees and a great pathway into meaningful, exciting careers,” Minister Ellis said.

“The figures from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) show that across Tasmania 3835 apprentices and trainees completed their training in the year to March 2023.

“This is up almost 10 per cent on the previous 12 months and more than 30 per cent higher than five years ago, which show that our strategy of putting learners at the centre of training is getting results.

“Encouragingly, the figures show that trade careers are becoming more of a level playing field with a 32 per cent increase in female trade completions, compared to 23.1 per cent overall.

“It is great to see women following their passion into skilled trades and thriving in their studies and their careers, but we still have more to do, with women only 12.4 per cent of total trade completions.

“Getting more women and girls into trades is an opportunity for business to build a rich and talented workforce that will set them up for success.

“The statistics also showed that there was over 20 per cent more apprentices and trainees in training when compared with the same point in 2019.

“At the heart of making our training system more accessible for all Tasmanians is our suite of industry compacts that lock in our partnerships with industry to address training and workforce challenges.

“The Rockliff Liberal Government is turbocharging the Tasmanian economy with our record infrastructure agenda and to build Tasmania’s workforce of the future we are partnering with employers and training organisation to support apprentices and trainees.

“Our Government is absolutely focused on taking the State to new levels, and making it the best place to live, work and raise a family.

“By sticking to our long-term plan and doing what matters for all Tasmanians we are keeping our economy strong and generating more job opportunities,” Minister Ellis said.