The change in commencements was calculated as the difference in Australian Apprenticeships Commencements data (as described above) for the most recent year and the year prior. That is, the total commencements for the training package across Australia for the year to the most recent quarter, minus the commencements for the year prior (e.g. April 2017 - March 2018 compared with April 2016 - March 2017).
The results were then calculated as a percentage of the most recent years commencements, as the change divided by the total commencements. This could give a maximum range of -100% to 100%, with a negative value showing a decrease in enrolments and a positive value showing an increase. Data was categorised into three groups.
A decrease of more than 10% of commencements.
A change of between negative and positive 10%.
An increase of more than 10% of commencements.