The rebound in Australia’s building and construction sector – primarily a result of residential construction – is good economic news that means we have the potential to see steady growth for a number of years.

“Whilst it’s encouraging to see that we have years of steady growth ahead of us, there are still a number of fundamentals that we need to get right if we want to make the most of what’s before us,” said the CEO of the National Electrical and Communications Association, Suresh Manickam.

Investment in our nation’s apprentices is one such fundamental.

The National Centre of Vocational Education Research has generated many reports highlighting the decline in apprenticeship take up and the most recent figures from the March 2015 quarter are no exception.

“As of 31 March 2015, there were 319, 700 apprentices and trainees in-training, a decrease of 16.4% from the year before and 147, 000 or 32% lower than the peak in training numbers back in March 2012,” Mr Manickam said.

Mr Manickam also expressed his concern with the sharp fall in the number of mature age apprentice commencements over the past three years.

“Apprenticeship commencements for 25 – 44 year olds have fallen from 30, 600 to 13, 600 over the last three years – a 55% drop, whilst for over 44 year olds, there was 71% decrease over the same period.”

“These figures highlight the need for greater wage subsidisation in order to encourage mature age workers to take up a trade to help fill gaps in the jobs market. With the four year investment that’s required for a small business to hire, train and employ a mature age apprentice, increased support is critical”

“Given the projected increase demand for electrical workers in relation to the upswing in residential construction, actions are now required to head off a future skills shortage.”

“Whilst the construction boom is currently the king, it’s investment in our apprentices that holds the key to the future success of the electrical contracting sector,” said Mr Manickam.