CONSTRUCTION APPRENTICESHIPS DEFY NATIONAL TRAINING SLUMP AS MORE CHOOSE TRADES

New figures show construction apprenticeships are bucking the national trend, with more Australians signing up for trade qualifications even as overall vocational education enrolments continue to fall.

According to new data from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), overall qualification enrolments dropped by more than five per cent in 2025.

However, construction-related courses were among the few bright spots, reflecting the industry's ongoing demand for skilled workers.

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) says the figures reinforce the appeal of careers in residential building, where strong job security and earning potential continue to attract new apprentices.

Construction apprenticeships continue to grow

Architecture and Building was the only major field of education to record growth last year, adding almost 14,000 enrolments.

Construction, Plumbing and Services, along with Electrotechnology qualifications, also posted strong increases, signalling growing interest in trade careers despite broader declines across the vocational education sector.

HIA Executive Director Future Workforce Mike Hermon said the figures demonstrate that more Australians are recognising the opportunities available in residential construction.

"While qualification enrolments are falling across much of the VET sector, construction is moving in the opposite direction," he said.

"That's a strong vote of confidence in careers that build Australia's homes."

Trade apprenticeships help meet demand

Despite the positive enrolment figures, HIA warns Australia still faces a significant shortage of skilled tradespeople.

The association estimates another 83,000 qualified workers are needed if Australia is to meet its housing targets and address the nation's ongoing housing shortage.

Hermon said attracting apprentices is only part of the challenge.

"Getting more people through the front door is great news, but now we have to keep them there," he said.

Around half of all construction apprentices fail to complete their training, making apprentice retention one of the industry's biggest challenges.

Facing growing competition

The residential building industry is also competing with several major sectors for the same pool of skilled workers.

Large transport and energy infrastructure projects, defence programs including AUKUS, the transition to net zero and the rapid expansion of data centres are all increasing demand for qualified tradespeople.

HIA says governments will need to invest further in apprenticeships, support the small businesses that train most apprentices and provide long-term certainty around skills funding if Australia hopes to meet both its housing and infrastructure ambitions.

As pressure mounts to build more homes, the latest figures suggest more Australians are seeing construction apprenticeships as a secure and rewarding career path. However, the industry says keeping those apprentices in training will be just as important as attracting them in the first place.