Mark Speakman
NSW Leader of the Opposition
Justin Clancy
Shadow Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education
Apprenticeship and traineeship numbers have plunged across New South Wales, worsening the state’s housing crisis and leaving young people and small businesses without the skills needed to build the future.
New data from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) shows just over 42,000 apprentices and trainees commenced in the 12 months to March 2025.
This is the lowest level in more than five years.
The data also reveals more than 8,000 fewer apprentices are currently in training compared with the same period in 2024.
Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said the Minns Labor Government is failing to back the workers New South Wales needs.
“The Minns Labor Government promised to skill up the next generation, but instead they’re letting apprenticeship numbers fall off a cliff. Every lost apprentice means another young person missing out on a career and another builder, plumber or electrician not on the tools to build the homes families need,” Mr Speakman said.
Shadow Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Justin Clancy said the data is a warning sign for the future of housing and jobs in New South Wales.
“You can’t fix a housing shortage when there are fewer tradespeople to build homes. In just one year Labor has gone backwards on apprenticeships,” Mr Clancy said.
“The Government talks about adding 23,000 construction apprentices, but on these figures that’s simply not credible. Labor’s approach is failing young people who want a trade and employers who need skilled workers. The Minns Government needs to stop the spin and start delivering real results for skills, training and housing in New South Wales.”