Training snapshot
During 2019, there were approximately 20,080 program enrolments and just under 4,680 completions. Enrolment numbers have trended downwards from 2015 which had approximately 21,710 enrolments. Completions have also decreased overall since 2015, with a slight increase seen in 2017. Enrolments in subjects delivered as part of a nationally recognised program have steadily declined from 2015 to 2018, although a small rise was reported in 2019 (approximately 109,730). Subjects not delivered as part of a nationally recognised program rose significantly between 2015 and 2016, but have declined since, with about 870 reported in 2019.
Program enrolments in 2019 were spread across the various qualification levels, ranging from Certificate I to Diploma or higher, with the greatest number at the Certificate III level (39%). More than half of all qualifications were in the area of Furniture (55%), followed by Design (26%). The most common intended occupations for the training were Product Assembler, followed by Cabinetmaker and Interior Decorator.
Approximately 58% of qualifications were delivered by TAFE institutes, a further 25% by private training providers and 13% by schools. Provider type varied by field of qualification, for example schools were particularly active in Furnishing and related qualifications, delivering 38% of training in this area and TAFE institutes delivered 65% of Design qualifications. Overall, close to three-quarters of subjects were government funded (73%), with domestic fee for service arrangements accounting for most of the remainder (20%).
Most students (nearly 80%) were from the eastern states, comprising Queensland (31%), followed by Victoria (27%) and New South Wales (20%). Nearly a third of all program enrolments in Furnishing-related programs was delivered in Queensland (32%), followed by Victoria (28%) and New South Wales (22%).
Apprenticeship and traineeship commencements and completions have fluctuated somewhat over the years between 2010 and 2019, peaking in 2015 at approximately 3,040. Since then, the number of commencements has trended downwards, with around 2,330 reported in 2019. From 2010, the overall trend for completions is downward, with just over 1,370 completions reported in 2019. About two-thirds of apprentices and trainees were training for the intended occupation of Cabinetmaker (67%), with Glazier (14%) and Floor Finisher (12%) the next two most common intended occupations. New South Wales reported 33% of the training, with 27% in Victoria and 20% in Queensland.
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