More 16-18 year olds in training or education

Government figures show that the highest ever proportion of 16-18 year olds were participating in education or training at the end of 2010.

The provisional data showed:

- The proportion of 16-18 year olds in education and training was 84.4 per cent compared to 82.5 per cent at the end of 2009. The total number of 16-18 year olds in education and training increased by 1,600 to 1.64 million at the end of 2010.

- The proportion of 16-18 year olds not in education, employment or training (NEET) decreased from 9.4 per cent at the end of 2009 to 7.3 per cent at the end of 2010.

The data also show a record proportion of 16-17 year olds participating in education or work-based learning – the age group that will be the focus of the Department's policy to raise the participation age.

Source: http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-news-1.nsf/lfi/DNWA-8JCGED