Research into apprenticeship completion barriers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

In 2023, the Social Research Centre (SRC) was commissioned by VERTO to conduct qualitative and quantitative research into barriers to apprenticeship completion for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. VERTO is a not-for-profit organisation assisting businesses and individuals with their apprenticeship, employment, and training needs. The purpose of the research project was to gain a deeper understanding of: (1) commencement and completion rates for apprenticeships by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in New South Wales (NSW); (2) why First Nations apprentices have lower rates of apprenticeship completion than non-Indigenous apprentices; and (3) how these barriers to completion can be addressed. The SRC engaged The Nahri Institute to assist with this project to ensure all research conducted was culturally appropriate.

In the data analysed, the primary reason for discontinuing an apprenticeship/traineeship for Indigenous people in 2022 was 'employment-related' (63 per cent), and to a lesser extent training-related (20 per cent) or personal reasons (13 per cent). This was mirrored in the literature with working conditions being a primary reason for discontinuation of qualification for all apprentices. Other themes evident were structure of apprenticeships, reasons for undertaking apprenticeships, regional and remote, and culture considerations. It is important to note that many of the barriers related to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous apprentices.

The report identifies five categories of barriers and needs, and possible policies and programs suggested in the literature to address them: (1) workplace experience; (2) structure of apprenticeships; (3) undertaking apprenticeship for the appropriate reasons; (4) high proportion of Indigenous people living in regional and remote areas; and (5) consideration of Indigenous values and motivations for education. Some policies and programs could address multiple needs. Additionally, possible policy and program responses could be implemented by various players in the apprenticeship system. The report concludes with suggested next steps to inform stakeholders in the vocational education and training (VET) sector about how best to address barriers to apprenticeship completion for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

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