Global Apprenticeship Network reveals which sectors are hiring apprentices now

There are more than 600 apprenticeships being advertised through job boards and group training organisations – see which fields are hiring.

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APPRENTICESHIP vacancies have increased by almost 50 per cent in the past month, in a sign that business confidence is returning in Australia.

But hiring levels still pale in comparison to where they were a year earlier.

Global Apprenticeship Network Australia data showed 687 apprenticeships were advertised on job sites and through Group Training Organisations in May, up from 468 in April but down from 1123 a year ago.

Most of the roles were in traditional trade areas, such as building and construction (251) and electrical, electronics and utilities (63), but healthcare and community services rounded out the top three, with 59 advertised vacancies.

GAN chief executive Gary Workman said the number of apprenticeship vacancies advertised was a good proxy for economic confidence.

“Apprenticeships are three to four-year commitments that a business makes to secure its future,” he said.

“This is a positive sign for the economy and for the prospects of young people looking for work in a tough climate. But there’s a long way to go.

“Apprenticeships and traineeships never fully recovered after the GFC as employers turned to casual workers, subcontracting and 457 visas to make up the skills shortfall.”

Apprenticeships are coming back in construction. Picture: iStock

New roles aside, Mr Workman said some existing apprentices were also losing their jobs mid-qualification.

He estimated about 15 per cent had been stood down during the COVID-19 disruption and “handed back” to Group Training Organisations that were tasked with finding them a new host employer.

It was not just workers within the hospitality and tourism sector affected, either. Automotive and construction apprentices were being handed back, too.

“We have probably had 50 or 60 we have been able to relocate to other employers,” he said.

“JobKeeper has helped in that regard because it covers the full wage in most cases.

“September looms as the next big critical point. When JobKeeper stops and you have more school leavers entering the market in the new year, how do you make sure employers are confident enough to take on new apprentices?

“Young people are usually more affected when there are economic downturns than the rest of the employment cohort.”

Global Apprenticeship Network Australia chief executive Gary Workman. Picture: Supplied

The trades and services sector showed other signs of bouncing back during May.

SEEK data last week revealed a 68 per cent increase in job ads on the site in the fortnight to May 24 when compared to the April average.

This was well ahead of the overall 40 per cent job ad growth across the Australian employment market.

Trades and services was the seventh fastest-growing sector for the two-week period, beaten only by hospitality and tourism (up 186 per cent on the April average), sales (141 per cent), administration and office support (122 per cent), retail and consumer products (107 per cent), education and training (105 per cent), and real estate and property (87 per cent).

TOP 10 SECTORS HIRING APPRENTICES RIGHT NOW

Source: Global Apprenticeship Network Australian Apprenticeship Vacancy Index – May 2020

Building & Construction – 251 roles available

Electrical, Electronics & Utilities – 63

Health, Care & Community Services – 59

Business, Clerical & Financial Services – 53

Metal & Engineering – 49

Automotive & Boating – 39

Gardening, Farming, Animals & Environment – 39

Sport, Recreation, Hair, Beauty & Services – 37

Hospitality, Travel & Tourism – 34

Food & Wine Processing – 31

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News Corp, in partnership with recruitment technology provider Shortlyster, has launched the Australian National Talent Registry to connect jobseekers with employers in a new way that recognises their skills and experience and matches them to vacancies as they are advertised. To sign up, click on your state: NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, TAS, NT