The number of people commencing an apprenticeship or traineeship continued to grow in the year ending 30 June 2005, up 4 per cent from the previous year to 265,000. On a seasonally adjusted basis, commencements have grown for five successive quarters. Commencements in traditional apprenticeships in the twelve months to the end of June 2005 also grew, and were up 14 per cent to 59,400. The statistics also reveal that more people are commencing apprenticeships or traineeships at higher qualification levels (commencements at AQF level III rose by 8 per cent) and in contracts of duration of more than two years (up 25 per cent).