Territory women and girls are increasingly choosing life on the land, driving significant growth in primary industries apprenticeships in the past year.
The number of female apprentices and trainees in the primary industries field has jumped from 68 to 105 across the Territory in the past year, a rise of 54 per cent.
In the same time period, male primary industries apprentice numbers fell slightly from 189 to 187.
The latest data shows that there was a rise in female apprentices and trainees in all fields from 883 to 1049 in the past year, meaning one third of all Territory apprentices are now women and girls.
The growth in popularity of primary industries among women makes it the fourth most popular field for female apprentices and trainees, behind community, health and education (312); sales and personal service (207); and business and clerical (158).
There are currently 3400 apprentices and trainees in the Territory. Last month, Minister for Workforce Training Selena Uibo, and the Federal Minister for Skills and Vocational Education, Michaelia Cash, signed a $5.8 million bilateral agreement that will see Territory apprenticeship numbers boosted by up to 2000 over the next three years.
As stated by Minister for Workforce Training, Selena Uibo.
The Territory Labor Governments number one priority is jobs.
We have been working to meet industry demand for apprentices and trainees by instituting a co-ordinated approach between the government, Charles Darwin University and the Australian Apprenticeship Support Network to get young Territorians into vocational training.
Our Skilling Territorians initiative released earlier this year included a suite of programs and services to support apprentices and trainees, as well as incentives to employers to take them on.
A workforce of trained, skilled Territorians not only benefits our young people, it benefits our businesses and employers and the Territory economy as a whole.
As stated by Minister for Primary Industry and Resources, Ken Vowles.
Our primary industries sector provides jobs for people across the Territory, in some of our most remote regions and towns.
The Territory Labor Government recognises that workforce support is needed to help the sector grow and provide even more jobs.
The Skilling Territorians initiative is one example, as is the NT Farmers Workforce Planning Co-ordinator role funded by the Government. Such investments in the sector are an investment in the Territorys future.
Quotes Attributable to Member for Katherine, Sandra Nelson.
As a regional town Katherines economy relies heavily on the primary industries sector to provide jobs for locals, and this impressive increase in women taking up primary industry apprenticeships shows there is confidence in the sector and the future it can provide.
The Skilling Territorians initiative is great news for the Katherine region as our primary industry businesses cannot grow without a skilled workforce.
As stated by CDU Pro Vice Chancellor, Vocational Education and Training, Christine Robertson
We are very proud to see our female apprenticeship and traineeship numbers in primary industries dramatically increase in the last year.
These exceptional women, as with all of our apprentices and trainees, will go on to be great assets to our local and national industries.
Top 5 industries for female apprentices/trainees in-training in the Northern Territory*
- Community Services, Health and Education
- Sales and Personal Service
- Business and Clerical
- Primary Industry
- Tourism and Hospitality
Top 5 industries for male apprentices/trainees in-training in the Northern Territory*
- Utilities ( Electrical/Gas/Power & Water)
- Building and Construction
- Automotive
- Engineering and Mining
- Primary Industry
* Annual figures to 30 September, 2018.
