13 February 2024
Townsville Talent Pool Shallowing as Apprenticeships Dwindle
Shocking new data reveals a 7.22 per cent decrease in numbers of apprentices in training across the Herbert electorate in the first year of the Albanese Labor Government amidst an ongoing skills shortage.
This compares with the final year of the Coalition Government when the number of apprentices was at record highs, with a 27.16 per cent increase on the previous year.
The data – released by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research – reveals numbers were down across 97 per cent of electorates after Labor’s first year.
Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson said it was cold comfort for the hundreds of local businesses that are struggling to find skilled workers.
“We’ve seen businesses in Townsville crying out for tradies across all sectors – whether it’s construction, the automotive industry or in manufacturing – but the number of apprentices are only going down,” he said.
“Small businesses need skilled workers now and this crash in apprenticeship numbers is only set to further impact the pipeline.”
Mr Thompson said it demonstrated the Labor Government’s inability to drive much-needed training to increase the skilled workforce.
“It’s clear that whatever the Labor Government thinks it’s doing to help boost apprenticeships isn’t working, and it’s leaving Townsville businesses in the lurch,” he said.
“The Coalition Government was steering us back on course with effective policy. Just over 18 months of the Labor Government has reversed our efforts.
“If this is what happens after one year under a Labor Government then it sends an important message that this must be a one-term government.”
Apprentice numbers in Herbert:
| June 2021 | June 2022 | June 2023 | Final Year of Coalition June 2021-22
(% change) |
First Year of Labor June 2022-23
(% change) |
| 2,725 | 3,465 | 3,215 | 27.16 | -7.22 |
ENDS