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NSW top for driving growth

NEW figures released by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research have confirmed New South Wales (NSW) is the premier state in driving growth and delivering quality apprenticeships and traineeships across Australia.
The state's Minister for Education and Training, Verity Firth, said 70 per cent of all growth in apprenticeship and traineeship completions in the year to December 2008 were in NSW.
"That's an incredible market-share and proof that NSW is the driving force in equipping the nation's workforce and delivering the highest quality of training," said Ms Firth.
The National Centre for Vocational Education Research data revealed:

57 per cent of the total growth in commencements across Australia was in NSW - with 89,300 people commencing an apprenticeship or traineeship in NSW, compared with 82,000 the previous year
there were 13,900 apprentices and trainees in NSW aged 45 or more, representing annual growth of 18.2 per cent (compared to annual national growth of 12.4 per cent)
in December 2008, 137,100 apprentices and trainees were employed in the state.

Minister Firth said the NSW Government was committed to continuing the drive for more apprenticeship and traineeship completions.
"NSW is clearly performing well against other states thanks to our commitment to vocational education and training and our record AU$11.8 billion education and training budget this financial year," the Minister said.
"Our State Training Services regional centres work with employers, apprentices and trainees across the state to ensure all our young people have the best chance of completing their qualifications and enjoying a secure future.
"We are also looking after apprentices and trainees affected by the global financial crisis.
"The NSW Government has introduced the Continuing Apprenticeship Placement Service to make sure all out-of-trade apprentices and trainees working in skill shortage areas can find a new employer to complete their training.
"More than one apprentice a week has found a new job through this service since it was announced by the Premier at the end of March," Ms Firth said.
Ms Firth said the NSW Government is also considering future directions for apprenticeship training to build on the strength of the state's current system.
"The Board of Vocational Education and Training is establishing an Apprenticeships Futures Taskforce to advise on options to secure apprentice training during the current economic situation and support employers to continue training for the future," Ms Firth said.
"The NSW Government is also playing its part through the Premier's commitment to increase NSW government apprenticeships by 1,000 per year for the next four years.
"Our significant infrastructure programme through schools and public housing is providing extensive apprentice opportunities in communities across the state.
"We need to do all we can to ensure our apprentices are supported at this time and to ensure that we have an appropriately skilled workforce as the economy starts to pick up again," she added.