The latest apprenticeship figures show encouraging signs of progress in rebuilding NSW's skilled workforce, with apprenticeship commencements growing for three consecutive quarters.
The National Centre for Vocational Education Research figures published yesterday show apprenticeship commencements increased by 2.4 per cent in the 12 months to 31 March 2026, with NSW outperforming the national trend.
The increase is particularly important for the trades NSW needs to build more homes and deliver essential infrastructure.
Over the 12 months to March 2026, commencements among construction trades workers increased by more than 12 per cent, while electrotechnology and telecommunications trades increased by almost 9 per cent.
Quarterly growth was also recorded in key housing-related trades, with more apprentices also starting in the trades we need to build more homes, with carpenter commencements up 16 per cent, electricians up 11 per cent and plumbers up 10 per cent.
Overall apprenticeship completions also increased by 22 per cent in the March 2026 quarter.
The figures are an improvement after years of decline, with apprenticeship commencements falling by 52 per cent and completions by 39 per cent under the former Liberal and National Government.
But NSW still needs many more skilled workers in the years ahead, particularly as the state works to build more homes and deliver major infrastructure.
The Minns Labor Government is investing in rebuilding the skills and training system, including:
- A second consecutive record investment of $3.46 billion in skills and training in the 2026-27 Budget
- $11.6 million to expand the Education Pathways Program, driving a 30 per cent uplift in school-based apprenticeships and traineeships
- Delivering the first Skills Plan since 2008 that re-positioned TAFE NSW at the centre of the vocational and education training sector.
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said:
"NSW needs more tradies than ever before to build homes and deliver the major infrastructure projects our state needs. The trend of decline in apprentices commencing their training under the former Liberal and National Government was never going to get us there.
"The Minns Labor Government is investing in our trades, delivering a second consecutive record investment of $3.46 million in skills and training in the 2026-27 budget including $11.6 million to expand the Education Pathways Program, which has seen a 30 per cent increase in school-based apprenticeship and traineeship commencements in participating schools.
"We've got more to do but these figures are an encouraging sign that our sustained efforts since coming to office are starting to make a difference, and we are on the right track to deliver the skilled workforce NSW needs to secure our future."
