For decades, teachers and parents have encouraged thousands of young people to pursue apprenticeships. They have particularly encouraged students who weren’t academically inclined to pursue them.
In Australia, apprenticeships are available in many industries. These include:
- Construction — carpentry, electrical, plumbing and bricklaying
- Automotive: mechanics, panel beating and spray painting
- Enginerring: civil, electrical and mechanical
- Agriculture: animal breeding and care (animal husbandry), farming and horticulture
- Beauty: hair dressing/ styling, makeup and beauty therapy
- IT
- Hospitality and Tourism
- Childcare
- Admimistration
Unfortunately, like many essential University courses, apprentices are dropping out of their training in record numbers.
Why are people leaving apprenticeships?
According to the ABC, nearly half of Australian apprencices quit their apprenticeships before finishing. The National Centre of Vocational Research revealed that 52% of apprentices that started apprenticeships in 2020 didn’t finish. That’s quite alarming. Over half didn’t complete their trainibg.
Latest figures show show an 8.6% drop on the number of people currently completing an apprenticeship.
So, why is this? Principal of Employment, Education and Training at Brotherhood of St. Laurence, Kira Clarke told ABC:
There is a number of reasons for this, low wages, inflexible delivery, timelines and rigid structures, and also inconsistent readiness of employers to support and mentor apprentices.
(“Low pay, weak mentoring and long, expensive commutes push apprentices to quit”, Bill Teums, 25 August 2026)
Another reason Clarke suggests for such a high dropout rate is that apprentices lack knowledge in of job and study pathways that are available.
According to 1300apprentice, Australian apprentices are paid between A$615 – A$724 per week in the first year, and A$985 — $1116+ per week by the fourth year.
It’s time to pay people whar they’re worth
In most jobs, people need to start at the bottom. People need to be able to learn on the job, However, people should also be able to live off what they earn.
Apprentices should be properly compensated, especially in this economy. Let’s face it, many apprentices who are just starting are doing jobs many people don’t often want to do, like sweeping the workplace. They are helping their employers to keep their businesses running sufficiently..
Alternatively, similar to students studying essential univerity courses, the Federal and/ or State Governments should help pay apprentices adequately, especially now.
What about mentors?
I’ve searched ‘hairdressing’ on TikTok. And, I briefly followed the Milly vs Vanity Salon saga earlier this year.
I’m not going to get into the whole debate. What I did find interesting is hearing that many Senior Hairstylists refuse to mentor and train students. Apparently, it’s a huge issue in the US. Students who are studying Hairdressing aren’t getting the guidance and practical training they need.
It sounds like it’s a similar problem in Australia across multiple industries. Does anyone have any ideas as to why?
Apprentices and trainees offer valuable skills and services to the world. Gone are the days when they were thought of as a dropout, a kid that just isn’t academic. They should be paid what they’re worth and get the practical training and support they need.
How do you think employers and the Government better support apprentices and trainees? Share your thoughts in the comments below,