The number of apprenticeships in Victoria has fallen by nearly 10,000 under the Napthine Government, according to figures highlighted today by the Construction, Forestry Mining and Energy Union.
The number of people who started an apprenticeship in the last quarter of 2010 was 23,200 (seasonally adjusted). The latest data from earlier this year (March quarter) shows that the number had plummeted to 14,300 people – a record low. (Source: NCVER)
"With one in five young people out of work, and unemployment in Victoria the highest it's been in 13 years, this situation is unacceptable," CFMEU National Secretary Michael O'Connor said.
"The Premier's jobs plan promises 60,000 new apprenticeships over four years – but his Government's track record on apprenticeships tells a completely different story.
"There is no detail in the Premier's plan on how they will turn around a 10,000 slump in apprenticeships. "Furthermore they have cut $1.2 billion out of the TAFE system - leading to the loss of 3,000 jobs and 13 out of 14 TAFEs now at risk of closing.
"With the TAFE system gutted, how do they propose to turnaround this massive decline inapprenticeships?"
Since December 2010, an extra 60,000 Victorians were looking for work, and Victoria has the highest number of people chasing each vacancy (6.3 people) than anywhere else on the mainland.
"The small number of jobs they have created hasn't kept pace with population growth, leading to 13 year-high unemployment levels.
"The only way the Government can turn around the apprenticeships slump is to restore funding to TAFE and allow unions to bargain over apprentice numbers."
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