By REBECCA BILLS
APPRENTICESHIP and traineeship completion rates remain poor despite escalating costs.
Last Wednesday the Victorian Auditor-General released a report into apprenticeship and traineeship completion and found the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) has seen no increase in the proportion of apprentices or trainees who complete their training.
“As was the case in 2004, over a third of people who start an apprenticeship or traineeship do not complete it,” the report stated.
“These are disappointing results given that there has been a 37 per cent increase – in real terms – in funding to apprenticeships and traineeships since 2004.”
Yarra Valley Educational Precinct committee leader Bernard Dobson said factors such as travel time, condensed course times and students picking the wrong course to start with all affect the drop-out rates.
“Students are being asked to complete a four-year course in three years – they are continually being asked to do more and more,” Mr Dobson said.
“I would like to see schools having a greater involvement in helping students in their higher education pathways.
“VCAL starts in year 11 and 12 but I’d like to see something in year 9 and 10 for students to really explore options and to experience different trades before they decide.”
Last week the Mail reported that the 2011 ABS Census data shows the Yarra Ranges highest education attainment of certificates is 7.2 per cent higher than Metro Australia and 0.3 per cent higher in advanced diploma attainments.
Mr Dobson said with the closure of both the Swinburne Lilydale campus and Morrison’s means the outer east was now the most educationally underprivileged region in Melbourne in regards to post-secondary education.
“Action is required from all political parties to ensure that this educational disadvantage is significantly reduced by ensuring that the Lilydale site is retained from university, vocational, and community education,” he said.
“We call for innovative forms of higher education and training to be considered, including a variety of forms of co-operation between various educational institutions, industry groups and the community.”
