South Australia has recorded the biggest percentage increase in the nation in the number of new apprentices and trainees.

The latest government-funded VET activity figures have been released by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) covering the first nine months of 2023, from 1 January to 30 September.

During that time period, the number of government funded apprentices and trainees increased by 19.2 per cent to 19,425, when compared to the same time last year.

There were also increases in the number of students with a disability, from regional and remote locations, who are aged 24 years and under, and Aboriginal students.

For South Australian government-funded VET activity in the first nine months of 2023, student numbers increased by 9.6 per cent, from 60,915 in 2022 to 66,765 - 7.9 percentage points above the national increase of 1.7 per cent and the second highest percentage increase of the states and territories.

The biggest increases in enrolments were in engineering and related technologies (up 12 per cent), architecture and building (up 6.9 per cent), education (up 54.5 per cent) and IT (up 67 per cent).

The three most popular training package areas are in community services, construction, plumbing and services integrated framework, and electrotechnology.

Importantly, higher level certifications have experienced the strongest growth, with certificate III up 9 per cent, certificate IV up 17.7 per cent, and diplomas up 4.9 per cent.

Government funded students at TAFE SA have increased from 28,880 to 33,340 – a 15.4 per cent increase, while non-government provider numbers also increased by 3.8 per cent.

The State Government is making significant investments in the skills sector to support learners, training providers and industry. These include the signing of the $2.3 billion National Skills Agreement (NSA), funding for five new regional skills centres and a boost in funding for training providers to address skills shortages.

Quotes

Attributable to Blair Boyer

We are addressing the skills shortage head on to ensure our young people have the training and support needed to have fulfilling careers in a wide variety of sectors, including building and construction, health and community services, and early childhood education.

There are many jobs available through VET that lead to well-paid and rewarding careers, whether that’s in our shipyards or in our early childhood centres.

We are building a skilled workforce ready to lead SA into the future by investing in our young people.

Attributable to South Australian Skills Commissioner Cameron Baker

The data is very encouraging as an indicator of the strength of South Australia’s VET and skills sector and reflects South Australia’s focus on training pathways in both regional and metropolitan locations.

It’s great to see that not only has there been an overall increase in the number of apprentices and students in training, but that these increases come from all parts of our community.

It’s important to see more people accessing training and entering the workforce with the skills needed.