Ms Vamvakinou said she was staggered by figures that revealed 40 per cent of people who started a New Apprenticeship did not complete it.
"In the Calwell electorate, 540 apprentices started training last year, but 216 dropped out without completing their training. This highlights the fact that the Government is not adequately supporting apprentices whilst they are in training" she said.
“It is clear that the Howard Government has failed to tackle the skills crisis in our country. Figures from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations data showed that job vacancies rose for skilled workers in April 2005.” said Ms Vamvakinou.
“The largest increases in demand for skilled workers were for Science Professionals (up by 7.3%), Health Professionals and Electrical and Electronics Trades (both up by 3.7%), Printing Trades (2.8%), Medical/Science Technical Officers (2.7%) and Construction Trades (2.5%). Yet at the same time not enough people are being trained in traditional trades to fill these vacancies.” said Ms Vamvakinou.
Maria said that Federal Government figures reveal that the number of people finishing a trade’s apprenticeship has dropped from 270 in 1998 to 180 in 2004.
“With unemployment on the rise in the Calwell electorate, up by 1.6% in Broadmeadows and 1.2% in Craigieburn, now is the time for young people to be supported in getting a trade qualification so that they can be given the best start in life.” said Ms Vamvakinou.
