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{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationStrong ACT labour market not translating into apprentice growth
Strong ACT labour market not translating into apprentice growth
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The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data show that the ACT’s trend unemployment rate remained low at 4.1 per cent in June 2026.
“Employment in the ACT increased by around 800 people, or 0.3 per cent, during June and was approximately 6,200 people higher than a year earlier—an annual increase of 2.3 per cent,” Mr Murray said.
“This is significantly faster than the ACT’s latest annual population growth rate of 1.3 per cent and demonstrates the continued strength of Canberra’s labour market.
“The participation rate also remained very high at 72.7 per cent, well above the national rate of 66.9 per cent.”
The strength in employment extends to the construction industry. ABS data estimate that the ACT construction workforce increased from around 18,100 people in February 2025 to 19,800 in February 2026—an increase of approximately 1,700 workers, or 9.4 per cent.
“The increase in construction employment is encouraging and reflects the significant volume of work on major government and infrastructure projects underway across the Territory,” Mr Murray said.
“However, these strong employment conditions are not translating into apprentice training outcomes.
NCVER data show that the number of apprentices in training across eight key construction trades in the ACT declined from 1,896 in March 2024 to 1,336 in December 2025—a fall of 560 apprentices, or 29.5 per cent.
“The decline is evident across each of the largest construction trade apprentice occupations,” Mr Murray said.
“The number of general electrician apprentices declined by 206, carpentry apprentices by 198 and general plumbing apprentices by 98.
“Alarmingly, there are only 7 apprentice bricklayers currently in training.
“This is not a story about a construction industry without employment opportunities. The construction workforce is growing and employers are continuing to advertise for workers.
“The concern is that this employment growth is not flowing through to a commensurate number of apprentices being trained.
“This is important in the context of both the ACT Government’s pipeline of infrastructure projects and the commitment to build 30,000 new homes by the end of 2030. Delivering on these programs will require a larger and more capable construction workforce.
“Growing the construction workforce will require both more aspiring tradies and more employers creating training and employment opportunities.
“Creating more diverse pathways into skilled careers in residential building should form part of the ACT’s broader housing supply and workforce strategy.
“The focus should be on training models that respond to the needs of residential building businesses and provide accessible, practical pathways into long-term industry careers.
“This must include strengthening traditional apprenticeships while also investigating alternative approaches to training and skills development,” concluded Mr Murray.
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