Apprentice and trainee commencements in the March quarter were the highest since June 2012

The estimable National Centre for Vocational Education Research reports they were also up 23 per cent on March Q ’21.

Although, there is a way to go to reach the 2012 peak – the 85 000 starts this year were still 40 000 down on Q2 ’12.

NCVER attributes this year’s lift to business activity improving, and the apprenticeship commencement wage subsidy then in place.

However cancellations and withdrawals were also well up on pre-pandemic levels (37 per cent for trades and 62 per cent (non trades), perhaps reflecting plentiful jobs.

Brendan O’Connor is on to it – scroll down