Mr Arbib told a packed conference room that while Australia had come through the global financial crisis better than other nations there had been a significant drop in the uptake of new apprentices as a result. The Minister outlined the impact a similar downturn have caused during the 90s recession and the importance the government placed on keeping apprentice numbers up.

Mr Arbib said that as the economy recovered the skills shortage would return and place increasing pressure for more apprentices in those critical skills areas.

The Minister said ABLAC was performing a vital role in boosting apprentice numbers and expressed the gratitude of the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister for their work.