Number of vocational training positions

Port Hedland(T) saw a steady increase in apprenticeships commenced between 2001 and 2008, with traineeships commenced fluctuating over the same period. The peak in 2005 which saw more than double the number of traineeship enrolments from the previous year but decreased sharply the following two years. In 2008 both apprenticeships and traineeships showed encouraging growth in enrolments.

The number of apprenticeships and traineeships completed is directly related to the number commenced, with traineeships normally lasting 12 months and apprenticeship training normally three or four years, depending on the type. Therefore the number of completed apprenticeships in 2008 is attributed to the number of commenced apprenticeships in 2005.

The number of commenced traineeships peaked in 2005 however the number completed in 2006 indicated only 43% completed the training. Traineeships which commenced between 2001 & 2007 and completed between 2002 & 2008 equate to less than 51% completion rate. The drop out rate is equally distributed across all industries.

As with the majority of regions across the Pilbara, apprenticeships in metals, manufacturing and services were the most common, more than twice as many students commencing and completing than the next most favoured field of study. The metals apprenticeships show an encouraging 65% completion rate based on commencements from 2001 to 2005 and completions from 2004 to 2008.

There was a real push in the number of traineeships in 2005 for community services, health and education, and the mining industry. From results the following year, mining showed the largest difference with only 21% of completion. This trend for the mining traineeships in Port Hedland(T) is also evident in 2003 with a small number of completions the following year.

The other popular traineeships in finance, property and business services, and community services, health & education continue to promote the need for skilled workers in these fields. Finance, property and business services traineeships show an encouraging 70% completion rate over the eight years to 2008.

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