Participation in education, training and employment

DfE today (28 Jun) issued updates to national participation figures for the end of 2016, released in June 2017, and provisional estimates for the end of 2017. 

In response to today’s figures on participation in education, training and employment for 16-18 year olds,

Stephen Evans, Chief Executive of Learning and Work Institute said:

“It is disappointing to see a rise in the proportion of 16 year olds not in education, employment and training (NEET). Our research shows that young people spending a longer time NEET account for a higher proportion of the NEET figures, with particularly shocking outcomes for groups such as care leavers. We need action to make sure these figures are a one-off and not the beginning of a trend.

“The fall in apprenticeship take up among 16 year olds is also troubling given that far fewer young people in the UK are undertaking an apprenticeship than in other countries. We must do better if we are to ensure that today’s young people have a strong foundation of skills and experience on which to build rewarding careers.”

This statistical release gives information from different post-16 learning options, including:

• school
• further education colleges
• work-based learning (apprenticeships)
• higher education

It also gives provisional data on the percentages of 16 to 18 year olds in education and training, and those who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) for the end of 2017.

Breakdowns are set out by:

• age
• gender
• mode of study
• type of learning
• institution type (for example, further education colleges, schools)
• labour market status
• highest qualification being studied

The additional tables show figures dating from 1985.