Apprentices and trainees play a vital role in Victoria's economy and the delivery of its infrastructure and clean economy agenda, including delivering better transport, more affordable housing and renewable energy.
The Victorian TAFE Network continues to play a critical role in apprenticeship training. In 2023, there were around 72,000 apprentices and trainees in Victoria, with 72 per cent in the trades.9 Around 94 per cent of people who completed their apprenticeships continued in employment after training.10 Over 1,500 apprentices or trainees employed by a Group Training Organisation have worked on Big Build projects.
Victoria’s Apprenticeship Employment Network (AEN) employs and supports Victorian apprentices and trainees, and facilitates broad skills development through placement with several employers during their training.
Occupations in demand will require a growing number of apprentices in carpentry, electrotechnology and plumbing. Trainees will also play an important role in the health care and social assistance industry to meet growing demand for ageing and disability caring, nursing and early childhood education.
Improving apprenticeships and traineeships
Providing apprentices and trainees with safe and supportive workplaces and training institutions is essential.
The Victorian Government currently supports apprentices and trainees through:
- Apprenticeships Victoria’s continued system stewardship to expand opportunities for apprentices, trainees and employers
- Apprenticeship Support Officers across Victoria who offer free and confidential advice to apprentices
- a new Priority Apprenticeship Pathways model that helps address skills shortages
- the Head Start program which provides a flexible avenue for school-based apprentices and trainees to work in construction and other priority sectors while in school.
The Victorian Government also supports (in full or in principle) all the recommendations from the Apprenticeships Taskforce’s final report to strengthen safety, fairness and quality in the apprenticeships system.
Selected occupations in demand and VET pathways
| Selected occupations in demand | New workers expected 2024-34 | VET pathways into occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Electricians | 14,400 | Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start) Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Pre-vocational) Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician* |
| Carpenters and joiners | 13,600 | Certificate II in Building and Construction Pre-apprenticeship Certificate III in Carpentry* |
| Plumbers | 9,700 | Certificate II in Plumbing (Pre-Apprenticeship) Certificate III in Plumbing* |
*Required to become a qualified tradesperson in the occupation
Updated