The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) has published new research indicating that pre-apprenticeship programs can significantly increase the likelihood of successfully completing an apprenticeship. This positive impact will be particularly beneficial for the pump industry, as a well-trained workforce can meet the growing demand for skilled technicians, leading to improvements in efficiency, innovation, and overall productivity within the sector.
The report, Understanding the value of pre-apprenticeships, found that students who completed a pre-apprenticeship in the same field of education as their apprenticeship were 7.3 percentage points more likely to complete their apprenticeship than those who did not enrol in a pre-apprenticeship program.
NCVER Managing Director John King said the findings highlight the important role pre-apprenticeships can play in preparing students for success.
‘Pre-apprenticeships help turn initial curiosity into commitment, building both skills and passion.’
The positive effect of pre-apprenticeships was particularly evident in the trade occupations, where those who had completed a pre-apprenticeship were 4.1 percentage points more likely to complete their apprenticeship.
‘This may reflect the value of hands-on preparation and the motivation among students who actively choose trade pre-apprenticeships,’ King said.
This research consisted of several complementary elements to evaluate the value of pre-apprenticeships in delivering improved apprenticeship outcomes:
- A novel methodology was employed to track the apprenticeship pathways of pre-apprenticeship students from four jurisdictions, utilising data from the National VET Provider and Apprentice and Trainee collections.
- The probability of apprenticeship completion was modelled, comparing results for apprenticeships with a prior pre-apprenticeship enrolment to those without.
- Interviews with students and employers were conducted to gain insights into their pre-apprenticeship experiences.
The research found that some groups benefit more than others. Younger apprentices, males, and those not identifying with an equity group were more likely to both commence and complete an apprenticeship after enrolling in a pre-apprenticeship program.
‘Helping more students complete their apprenticeships is a national priority. This research confirms well-designed pre-apprenticeships can make a difference, especially those aligned to job tasks and tailored to different learner needs,’ said King.
The study also found that around one in three students who did not complete their pre-apprenticeship still moved into apprenticeships with employers. However, they were less likely to complete their apprenticeship compared to those who had not enrolled in a pre-apprenticeship program.
‘We need to understand why students who leave pre-apprenticeships early are less likely to complete their apprenticeship,’ King said. ‘That insight could help the VET sector design better supports to ensure students succeed.’
For this research, government skills departments in four jurisdictions provided data on students who received funding for training intended as a precursor to an apprenticeship. Jurisdictions define and fund pre-apprenticeships differently, with programs taking various forms, from introductory vocational training to structured pathways into specific trades. This research analysed the outcomes of 280,707 apprenticeship commencements, of which four per cent (11,210) had a prior enrollment in a pre-apprenticeship program.
Download the report: Understanding the value of pre-apprenticeships
