In 2016-17, around 3.4 million (28.2%) of employed persons aged 15-74 years participated in work-related training as part of their current main job. The rate of participation of employed persons has dropped from 34.5% in 2013.
Employment status
People employed full-time were more likely to participate in work-related training than those employed part-time (30.2% compared with 24.1%). Since 2013, the training participation rate has decreased from 37.7% for full-time employees and 27.3% for part-time workers.
Occupation
Those employed as professionals were almost twice as likely to participate in work-related training compared to technicians or trade workers (41.4% compared with 21.0%).
| Year(b)(c) | Year(b)(c) | Change | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,013 | 2016-17(d) | Difference | % | |
| Managers | 36.5 | 29.1 | -7.4pts | -20.3% |
| Professionals | 50.1 | 41.4 | -8.7pts | -17.4% |
| Technicians and trades workers | 27.0 | 21.0 | -6.0pts | -22.2% |
| Community and personal service workers | 46.8 | 38.4 | -8.4pts | -17.9% |
| Clerical and administrative workers | 29.3 | 23.3 | -6.0pts | -20.5% |
| Sales workers | 24.4 | 19.7 | -4.7pts | -19.3% |
| Machinery operators and drivers | 24.5 | 21.4 | (e)-3.1pts | (e)-12.7% |
| Labourers | 20.2 | 12.6 | -7.6pts | -37.6% |
- Participation in the 12 months prior to survey; persons aged 15 to 74 years.
- There were changes in collection methods between the surveys in 2013 and 2016-17. See the Explanatory notes for details.
- Education and Training Experience, Australia, 2005 and Work-Related Training and Adult Learning, Australia, 2013 and 2016-17.
- Data from 2016-17 has been randomly adjusted to avoid the release of confidential data. Discrepancies may occur between sums of the component items and totals.
- The difference between periods is not statistically significant. See the Significance Testing article in this publication for more information: https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/6227.0.55.002
Some occupations showed substantial variability in rates of work-related training by sex. Men were more likely to undertake work-related training than women if employed as Labourers (13.9% compared with 10.3%) and Machinery operators and drivers (21.3% compared with 14.8%). Conversely, women were more likely to participate if they were Professionals (45.9% compared with 36.6%).
Employment type
Employees were more likely to participate in work-related training than people running their own business (30.6% compared with 15.8%) which has decreased from 2013 participation rates of 36.5% and 17.3% respectively.
Participation in work-related training varied with the size of the employer. People employed in larger businesses (100 employees or more) were more likely to have participated in work-related training (37.8%) compared with people employed in medium sized (20-99 employees) (28.4%) and smaller (less than 20 employees) (15.3%) businesses. Since 2013, rates of participation have dropped across all three business sizes (from 46.1%, 32.9% and 19.8% respectively).
Of those who participated in work-related training for their current job, those working in larger businesses were more likely to have completed three or more work-related training courses (50.5%) when compared with those with 20-99 employees (37.0%) and less than 20 employees (34.5%).
Industry
Since 2013, all industries, except Other services, have seen a decrease in participation in work-related training.
| Year(b)(c) | Year(b)(c) | Change | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,013 | 2016-17(d) | Difference | % | |
| Agriculture, forestry and fishing | 15.5 | 10.6 | -4.9pts | -31.6% |
| Mining | 52.5 | 36.9 | (e)-15.6pts | (e)-29.7% |
| Manufacturing | 26.5 | 22.1 | (e)-4.4pts | (e)-16.6% |
| Electricity, gas, water and waste services | 47.3 | 46.2 | (e)-1.1pts | (e)-2.3% |
| Construction | 23.7 | 14.7 | (e)-9.0pts | (e)-38.0% |
| Wholesale trade | 21.1 | 17.5 | -3.6pts | -17.1% |
| Retail trade | 23.5 | 17.6 | (e)-5.9pts | (e)-25.1% |
| Accommodation and food services | 19.9 | 17.1 | -2.8pts | -14.1% |
| Transport, postal and warehousing | 28.8 | 23.1 | -5.7pts | -19.8% |
| Information media and telecommunications | 34.9 | 25.7 | (e)-9.2pts | (e)-26.4% |
| Financial and insurance services | 47.8 | 39.0 | -8.8pts | -18.4% |
| Rental, hiring and real estate services | 38.7 | 27.8 | (e)-10.9pts | (e)-28.2% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 36.1 | 26.5 | -9.6pts | -26.6% |
| Administrative and support services | 20.2 | 13.0 | (e)-7.2pts | (e)-35.6% |
| Public administration and safety | 53.2 | 47.3 | -5.9pts | -11.1% |
| Education and training | 53.8 | 46.6 | -7.2pts | -13.4% |
| Health care and social assistance | 52.0 | 43.4 | -8.6pts | -16.5% |
| Arts and recreation services | 38.5 | 28.1 | (e)-10.4pts | (e)-27.0% |
| Other services | 22.6 | 23.3 | (e)0.7pts | (e)3.1% |
- Participation in the 12 months prior to survey; persons aged 15 to 74 years.
- There were changes in collection methods between the surveys in 2013 and 2016-17. See the Explanatory notes for details.
- Education and Training Experience, Australia, 2005 and Work-Related Training and Adult Learning, Australia, 2013 and 2016-17.
- Data from 2016-17 has been randomly adjusted to avoid the release of confidential data. Discrepancies may occur between sums of the component items and totals.
- The difference between periods is not statistically significant. See the Significance Testing article in this publication for more information: https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/6227.0.55.002