South Australia has emerged as the national frontrunner in apprenticeships and traineeships, with fresh data revealing the state is bucking national trends by attracting and retaining record numbers of new workers across priority industries, particularly the trades.

Figures released by the National Centre for Vocational Education and Research (NCVER) show that more than 9,200 South Australians started an apprenticeship or traineeship in the 12 months to March 2025, representing the largest growth in the nation. This increase is especially striking given that national commencements fell by 7 per cent over the same period.

Growth Where It Matters Most

Of the 9,225 commencements across South Australia, more than half were in trades or occupations linked to the state’s priority areas such as construction, defence, energy, education, technology and care services.

The first quarter of 2025 alone saw 3,315 commencements, up 5 per cent on the same quarter in 2024. By comparison, national commencements over the same three months fell significantly.

Trade commencements in South Australia jumped 7.8 per cent, led by construction trades workers (up 18.4 per cent to 535 commencements) and electrotechnology and telecommunications workers (up 12.2 per cent to 505). Courses tied to state priorities surged 10.8 per cent.

Back in 2019, only 47.5 per cent of new apprenticeships were linked to priority areas. By March this year, that figure had reached 66.7 per cent, a transformation that reflects deliberate state investment.

Retention and Completions Improve

Just as significant as the commencements are the retention figures. South Australia recorded a 21.3 per cent fall in cancellations and withdrawals, with 1,120 fewer apprentices dropping out compared with 2024.

At the same time, completions grew. In the year to March 2025, 5,800 South Australians completed their apprenticeship or traineeship. Of these, 3,145 were in trades (up 4.1 per cent) and 3,475 were in courses aligned with priority industries (up 10.9 per cent). The completion rate for priority-area courses climbed to 59.9 per cent, compared to 44.3 per cent a year earlier.

This combination of higher commencements, stronger retention and more completions suggests the pipeline of skilled workers in South Australia is not just expanding, it is stabilising.

National Outlier

As of March 2025, 23,305 apprentices and trainees were “in-training” across South Australia, with nearly 70 per cent enrolled in priority fields. This represents a 2.8 per cent year-on-year increase, while nationally, the number of trade apprentices in-training fell by 3.2 per cent.

South Australia was the only jurisdiction to record an increase in trade apprenticeships in-training positioning the state as a clear outlier in an otherwise contracting national environment.

Industry and Government Driving Results

The Malinauskas Government has tied this success to targeted funding, including its $8.8 million election commitment to tackle skills shortages and its support of programs such as Master Builders SA’s Born to Build.

Skills and Training Minister Blair Boyer said the results validate the state’s strategy:

“Apprenticeship and traineeship numbers in South Australia remain strong, in many cases there is growth where much of the country is experiencing declines. We need more apprentices and trainees to deliver on the investments our government is making from Torrens to Darlington, to the roll-out of three-year-old preschool, and the delivery of AUKUS.”

SA Skills Commissioner Cameron Baker pointed to surging demand in high-demand areas:

“It’s incredibly encouraging to see growth in apprenticeships for priority trades such as electrotechnology, carpentry and plumbing. These are essential to delivering the housing and public infrastructure our state needs.”

He also noted the strong enrolments in education pathways, with a 52.2 per cent jump in commencements for the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, as South Australia prepares for universal preschool for three-year-olds in 2026.

Master Builders SA CEO Will Frogley credited industry-led initiatives for reshaping perceptions of trade careers:

“The way careers in construction are promoted is miles ahead of where it was only a few years ago. Born to Build alone has placed more than 160 South Australians into apprenticeships this year. By getting out to schools and sporting clubs, we’re showing young people what this industry really has to offer.”

Why It Matters for Builders

For South Australian builders, these results are more than a headline, they are a sign that help is on the way. Labour shortages have been one of the most pressing constraints on housing supply and infrastructure delivery in recent years.

The growth in construction trades particularly carpentry, plumbing, and electrical directly supports capacity to meet housing demand, deliver major transport projects, and contribute to the defence and clean energy industries where South Australia is making global plays.

At a time when other states are grappling with fewer apprentices, South Australia is building a future workforce that could give its construction industry a competitive edge.

The Road Ahead

While the numbers are promising, the challenge now lies in sustaining momentum. Ensuring apprentices progress through their training, achieve completion, and transition into long-term careers is critical.

Retention support, mentoring, and continued industry-government collaboration will be key to turning today’s commencements into tomorrow’s skilled tradespeople. As demand for housing, infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing continues to rise, South Australia’s model may well be looked to as a blueprint for other states.

Author: TGB Editorial