The number increased from 2.5 per cent in 2010 to 7.5 per cent in 2015, according to the state government.

To address the worsening problem, Victorian Minister for Training and Skills Steve Herbert announced $340,000 for Access Skills Training in Bendigo

The funding would allow up to 100 people aged 16 to 24 in Bendigo to access services to help them transition into employment.

Access Australia Group chief executive officer Michael Langdon said the funding would help to address the reasons why young people were choosing not to further their training.

“Once we find out what the reasons are for not continuing their education, we can then provide counselling to address the problem,” he said.

“It could be that a person needs more literacy and numeracy skills, find work experience, or just career counselling.

“This funding will help us to provide that ‘wrap around’ service to help students stay in their courses.”

Mr Langdon said high schools needed to work hard to keep students engaged with their education and provide as many pathways as possible.

The group was among 26 across Victoria to share in $14 million to help re-engage students with their training.

The state government will also provide $6 million to encourage registered training organisations to take on early school leaves in VCAL.

Speaking in Bendigo, Mr Herbert said the increase in the number of early school leavers in Bendigo not continuing their training was a problem that needed to be addressed.

He said stopping unscrupulous training providers from undercutting RTOs was the main aim of the government.

“The days of short courses is coming to an end,” Mr Herbert said.

“We’ve seen a decline in the number of people across Australia engaging in training, but I believe those numbers have been inflated because of the ‘tick and flick’ system.”