South Australia Sees Significant Rise in Apprenticeships and Traineeships, Addressing Critical Skills Shortages

South Australia is witnessing a remarkable surge in the number of apprentices and trainees, with the latest data from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) revealing a 5.5 percentage point increase from the previous year and a substantial 11.2 percentage point increase from 2019. As of 31 December 2024, 22,470 South Australians were in training, with 15,420 (68.6%) of them enrolled in courses aligned with the state government’s priority areas.

Key Highlights:

• Overall Growth: The number of apprentices and trainees in-training has surged by 33.5% since 2019, from 16,830 to 22,740 in 2024.
• Trade Apprenticeships: The number of South Australians in trade apprenticeships has grown every year since 2019, currently standing at 16,165.
• Priority Areas: In-training numbers for courses aligned with South Australian Government priority areas have jumped by 59.5%, from 9,670 in 2019 to 15,420 in 2024.
• Commencements: In the year to 31 December 2024, there were 9,070 new apprentice and trainee commencements, a 49.1% increase from 3,735 in 2019. Of these, 5,565 (61.3%) were in priority areas, a 1.9 percentage point increase from the previous year.
• Completions: 2024 saw 5,905 completions, a 25.6% increase from 4,700 in 2019, marking the largest percentage increase in the nation. Of these completions, 3,415 (57.9%) were in priority areas, a significant 15.2 percentage point increase from the previous year.

Addressing Skills Shortages

With South Australia facing significant skills shortages and major infrastructure projects on the horizon, the Malinauskas Labor Government is making strategic investments to meet the state’s workforce needs. The government is focusing on sectors such as construction and infrastructure, defence and manufacturing, clean energy, education, tech and AI, and care.

Minister Boyer’s Vision

Blair Boyer, the Minister for Skills and Workforce Development, emphasized the importance of addressing skills shortages in priority trade and technician occupations. “Over the next five years, the state will need about 78,000 VET qualifications to meet industry skill needs,” he stated. “We will need to train 16,000 additional technicians and trade workers across priority sectors, including construction, defence, space, advanced manufacturing, and carbon-neutral energy and resources.”

The government is backing this vision with a record investment of $1.44 billion, complemented by $880 million from the Australian Government as part of the National Skills Agreement. This funding is aimed at supporting a skilled pipeline in priority areas, ensuring that South Australians have the opportunities they need to secure jobs in high-demand sectors.

Future Apprenticeships Workplan

Minister Boyer secured an agreement for the development of a new Future Apprenticeships Workplan at the Skills and Workforce Ministerial Council. This plan will outline immediate and long-term actions to grow apprenticeship numbers in priority areas and will be approved by all Skills Ministers later this year.

Skills Commissioner’s Perspective

Cameron Baker, the Skills Commissioner, highlighted the continued growth in apprenticeships for essential trades such as Electrotechnology Electrician and Carpentry. “These trades are crucial for delivering the housing and public infrastructure our state needs,” he said. “Additionally, the Early Childhood Education and Care sector is set to benefit from rising completions in both Certificate III and Diploma qualifications, strengthening a vital workforce.”

The government remains committed to supporting these training pathways, ensuring that South Australia has a skilled workforce ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future.

Conclusion

The significant increase in apprenticeships and traineeships, particularly in priority areas, is a testament to the Malinauskas Labor Government’s dedication to addressing skills shortages and fostering economic growth. With continued investment and strategic planning, South Australia is well-positioned to build a robust and skilled workforce that will drive the state’s prosperity for years to come.