The Marshall Government is continuing to turn around the state's training system, with growth in government funded VET activity in the six months to 30 June 2019.
The latest preliminary National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) figures show South Australia experienced a large increase in government funded VET activity when compared to the first six months of 2018.
"Today's figures are very positive for SA, with government funded activity increasing by 22.2 per cent, which represents 48,415 students and an increase of 8,790 compared to the 2018 figure," Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni said.
"While there is always more work to be done to repair the training system, it is encouraging to see South Australia's percentage increase was the second largest nationally, and was 15.3 percentage points above the national increase of 6.9 per cent.
"Contributing to this increase are factors such as the growth in TAFE SA enrolments and also growth in non-government training provider activity supported through an expanded Subsidised Training List, up from 350 courses to over 850.
"Pleasingly, from the Marshall Government's perspective, there are early signs which show SA experienced a significant increase in apprentices and trainees, with 10,185 enrolments which is an increase of 2,280 or 28.8 per cent - SA's percentage increase was the largest nationally.
"This comes on the back of first year of the Skilling South Australia initiative which saw almost 13,000 new apprenticeship and traineeship commencements, which achieved 96 per cent of our first year target.
"Importantly, 700 South Australian businesses have taken on an apprentice for the first time - which is a huge vote of confidence in the South Australian economy.
"Companies such as George Henry Homes, who I met with today at one of their commercial building projects, are playing their part to skill South Australia's workforce.
"They are have taken on three carpentry apprentices and a civil trainee to grow their business and are providing meaningful career opportunities for young South Australians.
"While there is clearly plenty happening in terms of emerging industries and high tech jobs, there will always be a need for skilled workers in building and construction, and that's why the Marshall Government is supporting apprenticeship and traineeship pathways across many sectors."
