30717 (2025). Shanan Halbert to the Minister for Vocational Education

30717 (2025). Shanan Halbert to the Minister for Vocational Education: Further to the Minister’s responses to Written Parliamentary Questions 19542 and 21821, what advice, if any, has the Minister received about the economic impacts of the declining number of individuals undertaking apprenticeships?

Hon Penny Simmonds: There is evidence that enrolments in on-campus and off-campus vocational education and training is counter-cyclical meaning that in times of economic prosperity there are increased enrolments into apprenticeships, and in times of economic recession there are increased enrolments into polytechnics, Wānanga and private training establishments. This has been referenced across a range of advice I have received from my officials.