Low wages, poor mentorship and long commutes drive apprentices to quit

Recent figures reveal a decline in apprenticeship and traineeship contracts, with an 8.6% drop in active placements and a 17.1% fall in non-trade roles through December 2025. Over half of those who started in 2020 did not finish within the expected four-year period, and about 85% of early leavers said workplace changes could have kept them on track. Kira Clarke of the Brotherhood of St Laurence attributes the attrition to low wages, rigid training structures and inconsistent employer mentorship, while noting many apprentices lack awareness of career pathways before starting.

Erica Smith of Federation University stresses that everyday job conditions, not the training itself, drive exits and calls for richer data on apprentices' satisfaction. To address the issue, Federation University’s Darren Gray promotes "earn-and-learn" schemes that offer income, scholarships, wellbeing support and other resources, especially for students in regional areas facing high living costs.