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Media release
TAFE NSW Online Campus | 5 March 2026
Riverina trainee part of long-term skills growth
'After spending the early years of my two children’s lives focused on raising and supporting them, I was ready to rejoin the workforce. Studying online gave me the flexibility I needed while allowing me to pursue a career that truly inspired me.'
Kara Bates, TAFE NSW graduate
New national data covering apprenticeships and traineeships from 1963 to 2025 provides a long-term view of how Australia’s training system has grown and changed over time.
According to the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), total apprenticeship and trainee commencements in Australia increased from 22,600 in the early 1960s to 133,300 in 2025, more than quadrupling over 6 decades.
Today, more than 300,000 Australians are in training as apprentices or trainees, with the in-training workforce in NSW increasing from 33,435 in 1969 to 90,032 in 2025 – almost a three-fold increase.
The data shows commencements of people aged 25-44 increased by 54 per cent between 1995 and 2025, compared with a 17 per cent increase of those aged 19 or younger, pointing to a gradual change in the age profile of people entering apprenticeships.
Leeton local Kara Bates, 28-year-old mum of 2, recently completed a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care traineeship through TAFE NSW’s Online Campus and working as an Early Childcare Educator.
In 1995, just 272 people began a traineeship as a carer or aide. Last year, that number hit 18,000 – a sixty-fold increase.
“After spending the early years of my 2 children’s lives focused on raising and supporting them, I was ready to rejoin the workforce. Studying online gave me the flexibility I needed while allowing me to pursue a career that truly inspired me.”
“Speaking with the daycare director helped me realise a traineeship would allow me to combine my passion for children’s development with the flexibility to support my family,” says Kara.
She plans to continue her education with TAFE NSW, enrolling in a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care in the future.
“The support I received from the TAFE teachers made all the difference. Their encouragement and kindness gave me confidence to keep going and take on new challenges,” Kara says. “If you’re considering retraining or starting a new career later in life – you’ll only ever regret the chances you don’t take, so back yourself and give it a go.”
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said the data provides a clear picture of how apprenticeships and traineeships continue to support Australia’s workforce.
“These figures show how apprenticeships and traineeships have remained a key pathway into skilled work overtime,” Minister Whan said.
“TAFE NSW plays a critical role in training apprentices and trainees in partnership with employers to deliver skills that work for students, industry and communities across the state.
Media contact: Rachel Ecclestone, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, 02 7920 5000.
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