Record numbers of 16-18 year olds in training

Citation

(2006), "Record numbers of 16-18 year olds in training", Education + Training, Vol. 48 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/et.2006.00448fab.003

Record numbers of 16-18 year olds in training

Over 1.5 million young people are remaining in learning after leaving school according to figures from the Department of Education and Skills. Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) helps to boost participation in learning. The rise of 2.7 per cent for 16 year olds is attributed to the introduction of the EMA in 2004 and the local engagement strategies between Learning and Skills Councils, schools, training providers and other partners.

The figures released show that the Learning and Skills Council has recorded an increase in the numbers of 16-18 year olds participating in education and training. The number of young people remaining in learning after leaving school, has risen by a further 34,500 (a 1 per cent increase) to reach over 1.5 million at the end of 2005. Post-compulsory participation rates for 16 year olds have seen an even more pronounced rise of 2.7 per cent. This is a significant success due in part to the introduction of the EMA in 2004 and the effective local engagement strategies between local LSCs, schools, colleges, training providers and other partners. The figures also show that participation rates in education and training for 17 year olds stood at 76 per cent at the end of 2005, an increase of two percentage points over the year.

Melanie Hunt, National Director of Learning, LSC commented:

To see record numbers of young people in education and training is immensely rewarding to all those involved in post-compulsory education. I'm delighted to see the positive impact the EMA has had, providing more young people with the chance to participate in further education and training.

Despite across the board increases in participation, the overall proportion of 16-18 year olds not in education, employment or training (NEET) increased by one percent to 11 per cent by the end of 2005. This was in line with broader labour market trends.

Full data supporting this item can be found at:www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway

Meanwhile the Government have launched a further package of financial measures to encourage 16-19-year-olds to participate in education and training. The package includes:

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  extension of financial support to 19-year-olds completing a course which they started before their 19th birthday, up to a limit of age 20;

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  removal of the current distinction in financial support between education and specific unwaged training programmes, so that both are entitled to Child Benefit, Child Tax Credit and EMA;

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  new guidance for Jobcentre Plus advisers to improve and simplify the processing of claims for Jobseeker's Allowance by 16 to 17-year-olds; and

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  two new pilot schemes in England – the activity agreement and allowance, testing different packages of financial support for young people completing agreed activities, to help to identify the most effective model for engaging 16 to 17-year-olds not in NEET; and learning-agreement pilots, to increase training options available to 16 to 17-year-olds in employment, with no training.

Dawn Primarolo Minister for Employment and Welfare Reform said:

The Government is committed to ensuring that young people reach the age of 19 with the skills they need to succeed in a modern, global economy, and it is vital that the financial support available to them encourages and enables learning.

Maria Eagle commented:

Too many young people drop out of learning at 16. This is bad for them, for their future life chances, for our economy and our society. We need to work collaboratively to ensure that the success of our young people is at the centre of all that we do. This can be seen in the Government's reform of the education and training system. We will build on this with financial support arrangements that will be designed to ensure all young people can succeed in ways that suit them.