Research Supports Government Moves to Kickstart Apprenticeships

There is considerable evidence the global recession has hurt apprenticeship commencements in Australia with "sizeable declines" in most trades, the National Centre for Vocational Education Research has revealed. Minister for Employment Participation Mark Arbib said the research, commissioned by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, supported the Government's decision to boost the incentive for businesses to employ apprentices. "The National Centre for Vocational Education Research indicates that apprenticeship commencement rates need attention," Senator Arbib said.