Fusion Training Solutions CEO Andrew Park said while he has never seen more apprenticeships available, he has also never seen ‘’so few kids ready for work’’.

‘’The reason for this is because of the unfortunate clash between a state-based vocational program and a federally ‘case-managed’ employment sector,’’ Mr Park said.

‘’There are just monstrous and unnecessary restrictions placed on the youth. There is no synergy between the two levels.

‘’For many years certificate II or pre-employment programs were highly sought-after programs for those responsible for case-managing unemployed clients. But the current system actually drives clients away from or literally out of these programs.

‘’I have seen clients have their Centrelink payments cut for refusing to leave a certificate II course and start work for the dole, and this in my opinion is one of the core reasons we are seeing this downward pressure on the uptake.’’

Park has voiced his fears following reports the number of apprentices and trainees in Australia almost halved between June 2012 and June 2016.

National Centre for Vocational Education and Research figures showed there were about 299,000 people in vocational training courses in 2012, which dropped to 106,000 by last June.

There were 215,000 apprentices in 2012, compared with 176,000 four years later.

Mr Park, whose private Registered Training Organisation (RTO) delivers programs under the NSW Government’s Smart and Skilled program, is standing firm on backing his clients’ rights to participate in full-time training with employment pathways.

‘’I think what needs to happen is the young people need to be empowered on what the choices are,’’ he said.

‘’If every young person takes control of their journey and enrolls in a course that is going to help them gain employment they should be permitted without restrictions to continue those studies rather than be punished and be forced to quit the course to start work for the dole.

‘’The Centrelink rules very clearly say as long as the person is in full time training it is okay but the job agencies are case managing clients differently to maximise their profit.

‘’I’ve had young people who have had a guaranteed apprenticeship lined up but were forced to quit a course to go and do work for the dole in a religious organisation because it was cheaper to put them in that program.

‘’It is horrific that kids are being forced into work for the dole instead of into blue-collar construction programs.

‘’There are many opportunities for apprenticeships out there, but the sad reality is there has been a steep decline in the push for pre-employment solutions and pathways into trade areas.’’