Trades Apprentices Face Delays Due to Teacher Shortage

As demand for skilled trades continues to surge across Australia, a shortage of qualified trades trainers is causing frustrating delays for apprentices trying to enter the workforce. This teacher shortfall has become one of the most significant roadblocks in solving the national skills crisis—especially in key industries like electrical, plumbing, construction, and engineering.

The Hidden Roadblock: Not Enough VET Teachers

Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) sector is under immense pressure. While apprenticeship enrolments have risen—thanks to strong job demand and government support—training providers are struggling to keep pace due to a lack of certified trainers and assessors.

Recent data from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) highlights that recruitment and retention of VET teachers remains a major challenge. Many trades professionals are choosing to stay in higher-paying industry roles rather than transition into education—particularly in high-demand sectors like mining, construction, and energy.

With public providers such as TAFE often unable to compete with private-sector wages, the pipeline of new trades educators remains too thin to meet student and industry demand.

What This Means for Apprentices

As a result, some trades apprentices are waiting several months—or even over a year—to begin the formal training components of their apprenticeship programs. These delays are most common in high-demand qualifications like:

• Certificate III in Electrotechnology
• Certificate III in Engineering
• Certificate III in Plumbing

With limited trainer availability, some TAFEs and RTOs have had to cap enrolments, create long waiting lists, or temporarily suspend new student intakes—despite the strong need for skilled workers.

Critical Shortages in 2025

According to Jobs and Skills Australia, several trades remain on the national priority list in 2025, including:

• Electricians
• Plumbers
• Engineering trades
• Construction workers and carpenters
• Refrigeration and HVAC mechanics

Australia’s infrastructure, housing and sustainability goals depend on a strong pipeline of qualified tradespeople—but that requires having enough trainers to deliver accredited training programs.

What’s Being Done to Fix It?

In response, several initiatives are underway to attract more industry professionals into the education space:

• Financial incentives: Some states offer scholarships and bonus payments for tradespeople to complete their Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40122), which is required to teach in the VET sector.
• Flexible teaching pathways: Part-time and hybrid training delivery options help tradespeople balance teaching with ongoing industry work.
• Federal investment: Under the 2024–25 National Skills Agreement, additional funding has been directed towards growing the VET workforce—especially in key trades areas.

What Can Future Apprentices Do?

Even with waitlists in some areas, there are proactive steps you can take:

• Secure an apprenticeship with a licensed employer to begin practical training on the job
• Register early with training providers and monitor intake cycles
• Explore online or blended course options where available

There’s also strong government support for apprenticeships in 2025, including fee-free courses, wage subsidies and employer incentives. Browse the range of current building and construction or trade qualifications to get started.