Questions being asked as Queensland apprenticeship numbers plummet. Credit:Michele Mossop The number of Queenslanders finishing an apprenticeship has more than halved, dropping from 15,700 in the June 2013 quarter to just 6200 in December 2016. Only 5100 young Queenslanders finished an apprenticeship in June 2016, but a very slow increase has been noticed recently. Kate Whittle, CCIQ's general manager of advocacy, told Fairfax Media that industry was already feeling the impacts and worried young Queenslanders were dropping out of apprenticeships. "The number of young people entering into an apprenticeship or traineeship has been declining for the past five years, with student numbers in 2016 reflecting just half (54 per cent) of that in 2012," Ms Whittle wrote in a recent article for the CCIQ.

Apprentices and trainees in training ('000) in Queensland 2006-2016 (seasonally adjusted). Credit:National Centre for Vocational Education Research Australia-wide apprentice and trainee numbers overall show a major decline in trades apprenticeships and traineeships continuing to fall by 12.3 per cent from 2015 to 2016. Ms Whittle said Queensland was having problems raising the profile of the training shortage. "Australia-wide, in June 2016 there were 282,900 apprentices and trainees in training, down 45 per cent on the 515,000 in June 2012," Ms Whittle said. "Apprentices and trainees represent just 2.7 per cent of the total workforce, the lowest in a decade," she said.

Apprentices and trainees represent just 2.7 per cent of the total workforce, the lowest in a decade. Kate Whittle, Qld Chamber of Commerce and Industry "Queensland figures are much the same. "They are down from the 2012 peak of 152,500 apprentices and trainees. Now the National Centre for Vocational Educational Research data reveals only 82,700 students in Queensland are now in training. This represents the same national decline rate of 45 per cent." Ms Whittle suggested too much emphasis given to completing university studies at all costs, citing increasing university drop-out rates. "Queensland government programs targeting the senior years of school should be designed to educate students on growth industries and the skills needed for jobs in the new economy. And apprenticeships have historically, and will remain, a major part of this."

The Queensland government said it had recognised the problem and would take more action in the 2017-18 budget on Tuesday. A spokesperson for Training Minister Yvette D'Ath – also the State's Attorney General – blamed the previous LNP state government and the Coalition federal government "for cutting almost every program designed to help business attract trainees." Ms D'Ath's spokesperson said the Palaszczuk government had taken steps to try to stop the emerging problem. "This includes introducing a new payroll tax rebate, which was introduced 1 July 2015, to make it more affordable for employers to hire an apprentice or trainee," she said. "This commitment has delivered $45 million in payroll tax rebates to employers of apprentices and trainees in Queensland.

"The Palaszczuk Government has also reinstated the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative, that the LNP scrapped, which helps unemployed people get the training and skills they need to secure jobs. More than 8182 Queenslanders are now in jobs as a direct result of this initiative." The Queensland Opposition questioned the impact of the Queensland government's policy. Shadow Treasurer Scott Emerson said the reality was the Queensland government was missing in action. "We have an Employment Minister (Grace Grace) who admitted there wasn't much she could do about youth unemployment," Mr Emerson said. "With an attitude like that, clearly you are not going to be able to make the inroads you need," he said.

"That's why we are seeing this slide in apprenticeships." Mr Emerson said the Opposition's Get Queensland Working had three main strategies to boost apprentices. It includes a $5000 incentive – in three instalments – to a Queensland business to take on and keep an apprentice until they complete their training. The Opposition believes this will create 10,000 new apprentices over four years. It includes a $500 tool voucher when an apprentice finishes their training.

It also includes $4000 grants to small businesses – with a turnover of $2 million or less – to cover recruitment and start-up costs. The Queensland Government may announce a similar scheme on Tuesday. However, the CCIQ argues Queensland needs further changes to payroll tax – where every business that pays wages to employees totalling over $1.1 million pays payroll tax of 4.75 per cent to help boost apprentices. The CCIQ wants the $1.1 million payroll exemption level boosted to $1.5 million – and higher each year – arguing this could create another 2000 jobs.