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Economic turmoil plays 'big part' in high rate of apprentices dropping out

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Wed, 19 Nov 2025, 7:47am
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Economic turmoil plays 'big part' in high rate of apprentices dropping out

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Wed, 19 Nov 2025, 7:47am

A weak construction industry's done nothing to help low completion rates among apprenticeships. 

Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds says more than half of apprentices in training are dropping out. 

She's seeking extra funding so new industry bodies can investigate the number of dropouts. 

Building and Construction ITO Director Greg Durkin told Mike Hosking there's been a significant drop in building work since 2023. 

He says this has had an impact on people completing their apprenticeships, when they can go down the road and maybe get a couple dollars more in a different role. 

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