The Andrews Labor Government’s record investment in skills and training is continuing to support growing numbers of Victorians into apprenticeships and meaningful career pathways, bolstering industries across the state.

The latest National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) report shows Victoria leading the nation with the highest increase in apprenticeship commencements, doubling to almost 50,000 Victorians in the 12 months to September 2021. More than 9,500 apprentices began in Victoria in the September quarter alone.

Some of the most popular apprenticeships were Automotive and Engineering, with a 141.7 per cent increase, and Electrotechnology and Telecommunications, with a 177.3 per cent increase.

The Labor Government is also giving more Victorians access to skills and training, with the NCVER report showing the number of female apprentices and trainees has increased by 71.7 per cent – a direct result of initiatives like the Government’s $5 million fund to remove barriers faced by women in traditionally male-dominated trades.

The Government is continuing to back great apprenticeship pathways for Victorian jobseekers, including by establishing Apprenticeships Victoria, which is a point of contact for apprentices and connects the dots between trainers, employers and industry.

The $33 million Big Build Apprenticeships program is providing 1,500 opportunities to Victorian apprentices and trainees each year for four years to kickstart their careers on some of the state’s largest projects, including the new Footscray Hospital, North East Link and Warrnambool Learning and Library Hub.

The Government is also enhancing the quality of training and making it more industry-relevant by recruiting experts as TAFE teachers under the TAFE Teacher Training Scholarship, with study assistance worth $10,000.

Since 2014, the Government has made a record $3.2 billion investment to rebuild TAFE and support universities and higher education to ensure Victorians have access to high quality education and rewarding career pathways.