With a significant focus on skills shortages and priority industries, governments are considering the best ways to create a skilled workforce to deliver on a range of key economic priorities including: a net zero economy, a future made in Australia, increasing the care workforce, social housing and major infrastructure projects, and to support a digital and tech transition.
Recent Victorian and Federal governments reviews of the Australian Apprenticeship system have identified completions rates and greater opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds as key to establishing this skilled workforce. Since their inception, Victorian GTOs have supported more than a quarter million apprentices and trainees into employment, along with providing access to Australian Apprenticeships for tens of thousands of host employers. There have been many reviews of the GTO model over the years that have highlighted the benefits of this method of employment, including end-to-end support for the host employer and apprentice or trainee along with the capacity to rotate the candidate to establish well rounded skilled workers.
This report was commissioned by the Apprenticeship Employment Network (AEN) to gain a greater understanding of Victorian GTO commencements and completions rates. It examines the role of Australian Apprenticeships in the skills ecosystem, the motivations of employers and jobseekers in using the Australian Apprenticeship system, and deep dives into completion rates for GTO and non-GTO employers. The report draws on National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) Apprentice and Trainee statistical data, along with data from the Victorian Skills Authority (VSA) and Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA). This report clearly demonstrates that Victorian GTOs are supporting a more diverse cohort of Australian Apprentices, with strong commencements in industries that have skills shortage and priority industry roles. Australian Apprentices who commence with a GTO are 18% more likely to complete than if they are employed directly by a private or government employer. Across priority industries, completion rates can be more than 40% higher for Australian Apprentices who commenced with a GTO.
Greater investment in GTOs will create the best results for employers, apprentices, and the economy. We look forward to discussing this report in greater detail with industry and governments.