Home > News > November 2005 >28-Nov-2005

Cash lures young people out of education and training

Money is the key reason driving young people to drop out of education and training according to new research by the Learning & Skills Council (LSC).

In a study of adults who dropped out of education or training at 16, over half (54 per cent) did so because they wanted to earn money while over a quarter (26 per cent) did so because they felt they simply couldn't afford to stay on.

And while a third (34 per cent) were fed up with school, one in five (21 per cent) said they couldn't stay on because their parents wouldn't support them remaining in further education or training.

According to the LSC survey, over a quarter (26 per cent) of adults who dropped out at 16 believe they would now be in a more fulfilling job had they completed further education or training, while a third (34 per cent) also believe that they would now be earning a higher salary.

The LSC said the research findings are backed up by official figures demonstrating that those with further education qualifications, such as GNVQs and A-Levels, add over £4,000 a year to their salaries compared to those with few or no GCSEs.

Ruth Bullen, Deputy Director of Young People's Learning at the LSC said that she hoped the findings would encourage young people to remain in education and not fall into the trap of their predecessors: "For many young people dropping out of education to earn even a small amount of money can be tempting, but the reality is that those without the minimum level of qualifications - such as five good GCSEs are more likely to be unemployed in the long run and will earn £4000 less a year in the future.

"We are urging all young people who are stuck in dead-end jobs or who are thinking about leaving school at 16 to rethink their options. There are a now a whole host of routes available to young people including apprenticeships and vocational courses. Financial support is also available in the form of an Education Maintenance Allowance - which pays young people to stay on in education and training after GCSEs.

"By staying on at school or college at 16 young people will set themselves up for life, they will earn more money and are more likely to enjoy the work they do - and ultimately be able to create a better future for themselves."

Skills Minister, Phil Hope, said: "We know that when young people leave compulsory school education, their choices can be significantly affected by the financial support available for post-16 learning.

"We introduced Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) to increase opportunities for young people and we expect around half of all 16 year olds, currently in their GCSE year to be eligible. From April next year we are extending EMAs to young people who want to learn in LSC funded unwaged training programmes. At the same time, we are extending Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit to their parents and carers in recognition of their need for parental support whilst in learning. This will ensure that these learners receive the same package of support that is available to those in full time education.

"All young people must have the support and incentives they need to participate in education and training beyond 16 and develop their talents to the full."

According to the LSC survey, the top ten reasons given for leaving education and training at 16 are:

1. Wanted to earn money (54 per cent)
2. Fed up with school and teachers (34 per cent)
3. Couldn't afford to stay on (26 per cent)
4. Parents would not support me staying in education (21 per cent)
5. Friends were leaving school (15 per cent)
6. Had decided on a career which didn't need further education (15 per cent)
7. Didn't do well in exams (14 per cent)
8. Delayed further education to a later date (7 per cent)
9. Wanted to leave home (5 per cent)
10. Was having a baby (1 per cent)

External links

For more information about staying on in education, visit: www.need2know.co.uk or contact your local Connexions centre.

To find out more about EMA, visit: www.direct.gov.uk/ema

Training Reference is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites.

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