The data, published by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), provides a picture of apprenticeship and traineeship activity nationally and by state and territory.
Overall 39 900 people started apprenticeships and traineeships in the June 2016 quarter, a decline of 2.1% compared with the same period last year. This reflects a decline in trade commencements, down 17.3% to 15 900.
Non-trade commencements, however, increased by 11.3% to 24 000 over this time. Occupations recording increases include sales assistants and sales persons (up 900); construction and mining labourers (up 400); and carers and aides (up 300).
Australian vocational education and training statistics: Apprentices and trainees 2016, June quarter is available from: www.ncver.edu.au/publications/publications/all-publications/apprentices-and-trainees-2016-june-quarter
This work has been produced by NCVER on behalf of the Australian Government and state and territory governments, with funding provided through the Department of Education and Training.
NCVER is the national custodian of data about Australia's VET system, including apprentice and trainee data. It is a not-for-profit, independent company owned by the Commonwealth, state and territory Ministers responsible for training.