The latest data released from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) has revealed that attrition rates among Australian trainees are falling.
Figures from today’s (August 3) report showed that more trainees are staying put in their courses, with contract attrition rates declining from 38.3 per cent in 2008 to 33 per cent last year.
In comparison the number of trade apprentices who failed to complete their training rose from 50.3 per cent to 50.8 per cent in the same period.
NCVER general manager of statistics Sandra Pattison said training completion rates were influenced by a number of factors including apprentice support, economic reasons and the individual’s personal situation.
She commented: “We know completion rates vary by industry and there are many reasons why apprentices and trainees do not finish their apprenticeships.”
Completion rates among individual apprentices and trainees remained stable, with both groups showing a 55 per cent course finish rate.
Ms Pattison said the report also revealed that in December 2011 out of the Australian workforce, 3.9 per cent of employees worked as a trainee or apprentice.
The number of people employed as trade apprentice had climbed to 11.9 per cent, compared to 9.5 per cent in 2001.
