This paper analyses trends in 'traditional apprenticeships' (as defined within the report), compared to those in 'other' apprenticeship contracts, since 1996. It shows that growth in the apprenticeships and trainees system has mostly been outside traditional apprenticeships. The analysis concludes that traditional apprenticeships were mostly undertaken by younger males, at Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level III and full-time, while other apprentices and trainees were more likely to be older females, working part-time.