But the 37 per cent increase on 2020 is not as impressive as it sounds

The estimable National Centre for Vocational Education Research reports states and territory 2021 funding of $4.2bn was up nearly 10 per cent on 2020 while the Commonwealth kicked in an extra $6.3bn, a 64 per cent increase.

However the biggest element of the increase was in Commonwealth wage support for apprentices and trainees – all up employer assistance was $3.7bn in 2021, a 155 per cent increase in 2020.  In contrast, total spending on “Direct VET delivery” increased by 7 per cent, to $5.4bn.

Payments to TAFE were $4.2bn (up 10 per cent) and to private providers $1.2bn (a 15 per cent increase).