04/05/2026
South Australia is bucking the national trend, recording one of the strongest increases in construction apprenticeships across the country.
New data from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) shows apprenticeship commencements in construction rose by 41% in the September quarter, with 550 new apprentices entering the industry.
Completions also increased, up 34.2% year-on-year, with nearly 300 South Australians finishing their trade training.
Notably, SA was the only state to record growth in the number of apprentices currently in training, while the national figure declined by 7.2%.
Across all industries, commencements rose 19% to 1,885, with around two-thirds in technical and trade occupations.
Over the 12 months to September 2025, more than 1,300 construction apprentices completed their training, a 36.3% increase, with 97% moving into employment or further study — the highest rate nationally.
With nearly 90,000 people employed in construction, contributing $11.75 billion to the state’s economy, the sector continues to play a critical role in South Australia’s growth.
Source: Glam Adelaide, reporting on NCVER data
