40,000 tradies qualified and providing skilled work in Victoria

More than 40,000 apprentices in Victoria have gained their Trade Papers since 2019. They are helping to meet the high demand for skilled workers across the state.

The qualified tradespeople include:

• carpenters
• electricians
• chefs
• car mechanics
• hairdressers
• plumbers

Luca Mascaro is a fourth-year shopfitting apprentice at Melbourne Polytechnic. He is looking forward to gaining a Trade Paper.

“Many of the shopfitting skills are transferable. So there are plenty of opportunities for me to explore once I complete my certificate,” he says.

Lucas Heritage is also keen to become a qualified tradie. He is a fourth-year carpentry apprentice at Melbourne Polytechnic.

“Learning how to build a house from the ground up is important. Which is why I like my carpentry apprenticeship,” he says. “Carpentry is one of those trades where you can do anything. There are so many options for me to explore and to do, which is kind of cool.”

A Trade Paper is a certificate for completing a recognised apprenticeship in Victoria. Apprenticeships include training through TAFE, a trade school or a registered training organisation.

Skilled workers are in high demand in Victoria. Our housing, transport and energy needs are creating demand for thousands more tradespeople.

This makes qualified tradies in Victoria very employable. Almost 95% of people who completed training for a trade in 2023 found a job after qualifying.

Of these, more than 70% stayed with the employer who trained them. This shows the value that employers and apprentices place on on-the-job training.

Data also shows that more women are becoming qualified tradespeople. Women tradies completing their training increased by 10.1% between 2023 and 2024.

For more information about Trade Papers, visit the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority's website.

For more information about getting an apprenticeship, visit the Apprenticeships Victoria's website.