The number of school students taking the opportunity to start a vocational qualification while they are at school is on the rise, Minister for Skills John Barilaro announced today.
Mr Barilaro said compared to last year, more school kids are choosing to study an apprenticeship with the number of students taking up school based apprenticeships rising 12.5 per cent in the past twelve months.
“Our state economy relies on a skilled workforce every day to build the roads, hospitals and schools – from construction to computing, there is a great variety of skills students can learn,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Employers are planning their staffing needs for 2016 and looking to find the future entrepreneurs to make their mark in this unprecedented period of growth in NSW.
“Students can learn, work and earn through the last years of high school, all towards a vocational qualification that is in demand by employers,” he said.
The NSW Department of Industry comparison of enrolments reveals an increase in the number of students taking up apprenticeships from 16,031 in 2014 to 16,278 this year.
Industries showing year-on-year growth in apprenticeships include Building and Construction (14.2%), Primary Industry (12.5%), Furnishing, Light Manufacturing, Textile (10.9%) and Utilities and Electro Technology (10.5%).
The NSW Government is investing $10 million to give students fee-free pre-traineeship and pre-apprenticeship courses – a “try before you buy” model to build a skilled workforce for the future.
