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The latest national statistics on Post-16 Education, Learner Participation and Outcomes produced by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills were released on 22nd October 2009 according to the arrangements approved by the UK Statistics AuthorityUK Statistics Authority

BIS: Post-16 Education & Skills: Learner Participation, Outcomes and Level of Highest Qualification Held

DescriptionThis Statistical First Release updates outcomes published in DS/SFR3 published on 25 June 2009, which showed learner numbers in Learning Skills Council funded Further Education (FE), Work Based Learning (WBL), Train to Gain (TTG) and Adult and Community Learning in 2007/08, with final data for 2007/08 and in-year estimates for 2008/09.

This Statistical First Release updates outcomes published in DS/SFR3 published on 25 June 2009, which showed learner numbers in Learning Skills Council funded Further Education (FE), Work Based Learning (WBL), Train to Gain (TTG) and Adult and Community Learning in 2007/08, with final data for 2007/08 and in-year estimates for 2008/09.

These statistics update those previously released, with provisional full-year information for 2008/09.

Key Headlines

Student Data (Provisional for 2008/09)
  • Provisional data shows that there were 234,000 apprenticeship starts in the 2008/09 academic year and 126,900 apprenticeship framework achievements. This represents the highest number of apprenticeship starts and achievements ever in an academic year. When final data is returned by providers, we expect apprenticeship start figures for 2008/09 to rise by approximately 2 - 3%, and apprenticeship achievement figures to rise by around 10%.
  • Provisional data shows that there were 817,400 Train to Gain starts in the 2008/09 academic year, and 471,900 Train to Gain achievements. This is the highest volume of starts and achievements in Train to Gain since the scheme began. When final data is returned by providers, we expect Train to Gain start figures to rise by approximately 2%, and Train to Gain achievements by 5%.
  • There were 1,446,600 learners participating on Skills for Life courses in the 2008/09 academic year.
  • There were 1,268,500 learners participating on full level 2 courses in the 2008/09 academic year.
  • There were 794,000 learners participating on full level 3 courses in the 2008/09 academic year.
  • Overall, there were 4,754,700 learners participating in LSC-funded Further Education in the 2008/09 academic year.
Labour Force Survey Data - 2007/08
  • Information from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) in 2008, shows that for the working age adults:
    • 71.2 per cent were qualified to at least level 2, against a PSA target of 79 per cent by 2011;
    • 50.8 per cent were qualified to at least level 3, against a PSA target of 56 per cent by 2011;
    • 31.2 per cent were qualified to level 4 and above, against a milestone of 34 per cent by 2011.
  • The LFS also shows that between 2001 and quarter 4 of 2008, an additional 2.378 million adults in the workforce achieved qualifications at level 2 or higher. This is against a PSA target of 3.6 million more adults in the workforce to have a level 2 or higher qualification between quarter 4 of 2001 and quarter 4 of 2010.
Other PSA Targets - 2007/08
  • Between 2001/02 and 2007/08, 2.835 million working age adults have improved their basic skills. This means that BIS has achieved its PSA target of improving the basic skills of 2.25 million working-age adults by 2010, three years ahead of the target completion date.
  • The FE College success rate was 80.7% in 2007/08, against a public commitment of achieving a FE College success rate of 76% in 2007/08, increasing to 80% by 2010/11. This means we have met this commitment three years ahead of the planned date.
  • Provisional data shows that there were 126,900 apprenticeship completions in 2008/09. This is against a PSA target of 130,000 apprenticeship completions by 2010/11. When final data is returned by providers, we expect apprenticeship achievement figures to rise by around 10%.


[Prepared and published by the Further Education Data Service in consultation and BIS statisticians.]

In September 2007, PricewaterhouseCoopers was commissioned to review 10 Statistical First Releases (SFRs) relating to post-16 learning. To address the issues, the review made 24 recommendations for changes to the suite of post-16 SFRs aimed at improving the way statistics relating to post-16 learning are presented, including the publication of quarterly SFRs.

The SFR will continue to evolve and improve as a product and readers are encouraged to provide feedback on the content and format. They can do this by contacting the Service Desk.
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Reference ID             
Coverage Country England
Date Released22 October 2009
Main Category Education and Skills
Sub CategoryFurther and Higher Education    Click on subcategory link to see if there is later information
TypeStatistical First Release
ContactJames Brennan  james.brennan@bis.gsi.gov.uk  tel: 0203 300 8330
PreRelease AccessClick here
 Publication includes individual Local Authority informationPublication includes individual Local Authority information

To access this publication click on the links next to "Download Formats" above