The latest early trend estimates for trade and non-trade commencements show fewer people are starting an apprenticeship or traineeship.

Released by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), Apprentices and Trainees 2013 – early trend estimates, March quarter, provides seasonally adjusted and smoothed data at the national level for apprentice and trainee commencements.

Estimates show that non-trade commencements have settled to a new level around 30 000.

“The substantial growth in non-trade commencements up to the June quarter 2012, and the subsequent decline from the September quarter, is predominantly due to changes to incentive payments for existing workers,” said Tom Karmel, Managing Director, NCVER.

From 1 July, 2012 the Government discontinued the $1500 standard employer commencement incentive payment and increased the standard completion incentive by $500 to $3000 for existing worker apprentices and trainees in non-National Skills Needs List occupations.

Trade commencements remained relatively stable with 21 500 commencements reported in the March 2013 quarter.

Copies of Apprentices and Trainees 2013 – early trend estimates, March quarter, are available fromwww.ncver.edu.au/publications/2626.html