Information was published on participation in education and training by children in England aged 16 and 17, analysed by government office region, local Learning and Skills Council areas and local education authority. Full-time education participation increased by one percentage point, to 58 per cent, between end 1998 and end 1999; and then remained at the same level at end 2000. Participation in education and training remained at the same level between end 1998 and end 2000, at 74 per cent.
Source: Participation in Education and Training by 16 and 17 Year Olds in Each Local Area in England, 1998 to 2000, Department for Education and Skills (0870 000 2288)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Dec
A report said that vocational education and training need to emphasise excellence, not just competence, to enable young people to compete with high fliers internationally.
Source: Barry Smeaton, Maria Hughes and Graeme Hall, From Competence to Excellence: Developing excellence in vocational skills, Learning and Skills Development Agency (020 7297 9144)
Links: Report (pdf) | Press release (Word file)
Date: 2002-Dec
The government announced new targets for learning and skills among those aged 16 and over. By 2004 the aim will be to increase by three percentage points the number of young people aged 19 receiving a 'level 2' qualification, and by a further three points by 2006. (Level 2 = GCSE grade A* C, Intermediate GNVQ, or Level 2 NVQ) (GCSE = General Certificate of Secondary Education: GNVQ = General National Vocational Qualification)
Source: House of Commons Hansard, Written Answers 16.12.02, column 555W, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Hansard
Date: 2002-Dec
A research review examined attitudes of parents and young people to their experiences of education, and how that is influencing them to follow different routes after compulsory schooling. It found that most young people are reasonably happy at school, but that there is also a substantial minority who dislike school and whose feelings cause problems both for themselves and for teachers.
Source: Joan Payne, Attitudes to Education, and Choices at Age 16: A Brief Research Review - Report to the DfES Advisory Panel on Research Issues for the 14-19 Age Group, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (Word file)
Date: 2002-Dec
The schools inspectorate found that the implementation of the Connexions Service has maintained, restored and, in some instances, improved careers education and guidance. But it found that the quality of target-setting and action planning, and of careers guidance for young people on work-based training, varies in quality; and that the quality of information in many schools relating to work-based training opportunities is poor.
Source: Connexions Partnerships: The first year 2001-2002, HMI 521, Office for Standards in Education (07002 637833)
Links: Report (pdf) | Press release
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/2, Digest 122, paragraph 3.7
Date: 2002-Oct
Researchers proposed a model to enable the Connexions youth service to improve the effectiveness of its work with young black men.
Source: Cathy Aymer and Toyin Okitikpi, Young Black Men and The Connexions Service, Research Report 311, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (pdf) | Brief (pdf)
Date: 2002-Oct
A consultation paper proposed a target of 95 per cent of young people in Wales being ready for high-skill employment or higher education by 2015.
Source: Learning Country: Learning Pathways 14-19, Welsh Assembly Government (029 2082 1125)
Links: Consultative Document (pdf) | Press release
Date: 2002-Oct
Campaigners reportedly expressed concern over the amount of confidential information being collected on young people by the Connexions service.
Source: The Guardian, 22.10.02
Links: Guardian report
Date: 2002-Oct
A study evaluated a project aimed at preparing underachieving schoolboys aged 14 and 15 for the workplace. Most boys responded quickly to the practical nature of the programme, and many said it also helped them to refocus on their school work.
Source: Trefor Lloyd, Underachieving Young Men Preparing for Work: A Report for Practitioners, York Publishing Services for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from York Publishing Services Ltd (01904 431213)
Links: JRF Findings 932
Date: 2002-Sep
Researchers found a 'clear and continuing' demand for the services provided by Neighbourhood Support Fund projects from young people whose needs are not being fully met by mainstream education provision. (The NSF is aimed at the hardest-to-reach people aged 13-19, living in 40 of the most deprived areas in England, who are in danger of dropping out of, or have dropped out of, mainstream education, training or employment.)
Source: Sarah Golden, Thomas Spielhofer, David Sims, Sarah Aiston, and Lisa O Donnell, Re-Engaging the Hardest-to-Help Young People: The Role of the Neighbourhood Support Fund, Research Report 366, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (pdf) | Brief (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/4, Digest 124, paragraph 3.5
Date: 2002-Jul
A study concluded that 'education for work' activities by school students do improve employability skills.
Source: Sheila Semple, Mary Paris, Patricia McCartney, Brian Twiddle, Interchange 74: Learning Gains from Education for Work, Scottish Executive (0131 556 8400)
Links: Report (pdf) | Report
Date: 2002-Jul
Revised estimates were published of the numbers of young people in England aged 16, 17 and 18 in education, training and employment. There was a slight increase overall in those in education and training between 2000 and 2001.
Source: Statistical First Release 16/02, Department for Education and Skills (0870 000 2288)
Links: Statistical release (pdf)
Date: 2002-Jul
A report examined the deterioration in inspection grades for work-based learning schemes for young people.
Source: M. Hughes, Making the Grade: A Report on Standards in Work-Based Learning for Young People, Learning and Skills Development Agency (020 7297 9144)
Links: Report (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/2, Digest 122 (paragraph 7.8)
Date: 2002-Jun
The proportion of children aged 16-18 in education and training was 75.5 per cent (up slightly), and an estimated 57 per cent were in employment (England, 2001).
Source: Participation in Education, Training and Employment by 16-18 Year Olds in England: 2000 and 2001, Statistical First Release 16/2002, Department for Education and Skills (0870 000 2288)
Links: Statistical Release (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/1, Digest 121 (paragraph 3.7)
Date: 2002-Jun
Researchers estimated the costs of children and young people aged 16-18 not being in education, employment or training (for example, in terms of higher unemployment, lower earnings, and higher incidence of ill-health and crime).
Source: C. Godfrey et al., Estimating the Cost of Being Not in Education, Employment or Training at Age 16-18, Research Report 346, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260) | B. Coles et al., Literature Review of the Costs of Being Not in Education, Employment or Training at Age 16-18, Research Report 347, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report 346 (pdf) | Report 347 (pdf)
Date: 2002-Jun
A study found that a graduation certificate could enhance commitment to continuing education and training among those aged 16-19.
Source: G. Lindsay and M. Maguire, Modelling the Implications of Graduation for 16 Year Olds in Three Geographical Areas, Research Report 340, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Jun
Researchers evaluated 'student apprenticeship' pilots, providing children aged 14-19 with structured work placements.
Source: A. McCoshan and J. Williams, Student Apprenticeship Evaluation, Research Report 345, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-May
