Surge in numbers of well qualified young people

ENGLAND – Record numbers of young people are achieving qualifications which will help them excel in the world of work and further study, figures released by the Department for Children, Schools and Families reveal.

Schools minister Jim Knight praised the hard work of young people and the schools, colleges and those offering work based learning who helped them gain the qualifications.

Overall figures show the country has a higher proportion of qualified 19-year-olds than ever before – 76.7 per cent now reach Level 2 (equivalent to five good GCSEs)­ and 49.8 per cent reach Level 3 (equivalent to two A Levels) – exceeding the government’s targets.

Compared to 2004, 87,000 more 19-year-olds now achieve a Level 2 and 64,000 more achieve a Level 3.

Since 2004 the proportion of 19-year-olds getting a Level 2 qualification has increased by 10.4 per centage points.

The government has put a focus on making high quality applied and work related qualifications available for young people.

The proportion of 16 to 19-year-olds achieving a vocational Level 2 has risen from 8.2 per cent in 2004 to 15.2 per cent in 2008. The proportion with a vocational Level 3 is also up – from 3.5 per cent to 12.5 per cent.

By 2015, all young people will need to participate in education or training until age 18. They will be able to do this in a school or college, in work based learning – such as an apprenticeship – or part-time if they are working.

With more young people participating and achieving than ever before, these figures are another step forwards in raising the education and training age.

The new Diploma qualifications, which began last September, look to apply the best of academic and theoretical learning to the world of work.

Students can take applied courses as part of their Diploma – alongside core subjects such as English and maths. They are designed to appeal to a range of abilities and aspirations – from those who want to go to university to those who already have their sights set on a specific industry.

In January, the Prime Minister announced a £140 million ($NZ370 million) package to make 35,000 more apprenticeships available across all age groups.

Mr Knight said: “In these tough economic times it is great to see that we have such a skilled generation of 19-year-olds coming through. This is testament to the hard work of young people and all those who work with them to help them achieve.

“Our reforms to education for 14 to 19-year-olds are about ensuring that education and training prepares all young people for life and work, giving them the knowledge, skills and aptitudes they need to succeed.

“By extending the range of learning opportunities and qualification routes available, we are offering young people the opportunity to choose a mix of learning styles and content that is right for them, with financial support to learners over 16 who need that help to stay in learning.

“We are confident that these changes will lead to even more young people continuing to participate in learning and achieve.

“With Diplomas available across the country, and an apprenticeship place for all young people who want one by 2013, we will soon be in an even stronger position. With more traditional options like GCSEs and A Levels still remaining a valued and popular choice, there really are qualifications out there for everyone.

“Although more young people are reaching these levels than ever before we continue to be ambitious for our young people.

“It is essential to their wellbeing and future prosperity, our society and the economy that they have the skills to pursue productive careers. That is why we have set even more challenging targets for 2011.

“We now want at least 82 per cent of 19-year-olds to achieve at Level 2 and 54 per cent to achieve at Level 3.”