More stay on for further education

By Nicci Martel

MORE 16-year-olds are staying in education and training than ever before.

The School Leaver Destinations Report 2007 issued by the Careers Service has revealed a record 80% of 16-year-olds are choosing to stay in full-time education or enter States apprenticeship schemes.

‘It’s marvellous to see that figure go up,’ said deputy Education minister Wendy Morgan.

‘Employers are looking for those extra qualifications and this shows that the message has spread and gathered momentum. What the island needs is more qualified people.’

The report is based on a survey taken of about 3,000 school leavers aged from 15 to 19 which had been sent to schools and employers.

The Education Department’s lifelong learning manager Alun Williams said that the statistics, which also found that fewer 15-year-olds were leaving school, were a positive indication that teenagers were taking qualifications more seriously.

‘We’ve seen a year-on-year increase in this area and our job is to get people to understand the benefits of lifelong learning. Students and potential employers are reaping the tremendous benefits of continued education and training.’

The report shows the number of 18-year-olds in education and training is about the same as the previous year, with 42% last year compared to 43% in 2006. However, there are fewer entering higher education, with 23% in 2007 and 27% in 2006.

Head of the Careers Service Sarah Stonebridge said this could partly be the result of the States decision to introduce student loans.

‘The drop-in higher education is inevitable if people have to give more thought to how they will fund it.

‘It’s still a popular choice, but it’s definitely helped students give more consideration to the financial aspect.’

Deputy Morgan agreed to an extent but also argued that the decrease was partly due to the finance industry’s successful recruitment of sixth-form leavers and that it was indicative of a growing number of in-house training opportunities.

The statistics showed that more than 55 school leavers were unemployed last year, with the bulk being in Years 10 and 11.

According to Mr Williams, this could mostly be explained by people who were in between jobs on the day the phone survey was carried out.