Staying on in education or training is essential for our prosperity

Lifelong learning minister Bill Rammell

Thursday, 21, Jun 2007 12:00

Minister for higher education and lifelong learning Bill Rammell explains that raising the participation age to 18 is a logical extension of a much bigger strategy to safeguard young people’s futures and maintain the UK’s competitiveness in the global economy.

In 1972, when the school leaving age was increased to 16, many young people could still leave school without qualifications and easily find steady, unskilled work. Today's economy is different, and it's evolving quickly, with demand for skilled and technical roles soaring as IT, finance and the professional services sectors drive UK prosperity.

Indeed, while 3.2 million unqualified people were in work in 2004, estimates suggest the number who will be in work in 2020 will plummet to 600,000. By then, we will need an additional 4.6 million workers qualified to degree level or above.

Clearly we must ensure our young people get the education, training and qualifications they need to prosper. This is why we believe it is important to raise the participation age in education and training to 18 from 2015. It is vital for our economy and critically important for our young people’s life chances.

We know that staying on to gain qualifications improves job prospects and salaries significantly. On average, individuals achieving five good GCSEs earn at least 25 per cent more than those who don’t. Further qualifications, and especially a degree, will increase that earning potential even more.

But we must also remember that this reform is not about forcing young people to stay in a classroom until they’re 18, or stopping them from getting a job at 16 if that’s what they want to do.

In fact, the new participation age will be heralded by reforms that will give young people unprecedented choice and control over their educational and professional development. They will be able to choose to participate in full or part-time in schools, work-based learning and apprenticeships or in accredited training with an employer.

All children due to start secondary school in September 2008 will be able to study new diplomas that will offer a mix of academic and applied learning and will be of considerable value to employers and universities. Forthcoming changes to the curriculum for 11 to 14 year olds will prevent children from disengaging while they adjust to life at secondary school.

We have also introduced the Education Maintenance Allowance, which offers a financial incentive to young people from less well-off backgrounds to keep learning. More than half a million young people have received EMA payments in this school year, with more 16 year olds benefiting than in 2005-06.

So choice, opportunity and engagement will be the three pillars supporting this reform, and this will make concerns about compulsion redundant.

If a young person has ambitions to be the next Alan Sugar and wants to enter the workplace at 16, then they will have the freedom to do this – but we will make sure that they get the training that will accelerate their professional progress.

Likewise, if they want to remain in education but pursue a more applied course of study then they will be able to choose the diploma route, which by 2010 will span 14 ‘lines’ of learning – from Engineering to IT, and be fully rolled out nationally by 2013.

In short, the increase in the participation age is an exciting, progressive move, but it is part of a much bigger strategy to build an education system that will deliver a myriad of options for young people – ensuring that whatever their background, whatever their interests and whatever their ambitions they can take the path that’s right for them.

This tailored and personalised approach will ensure every young person gets the best possible start in life – up to, and long after, their 18th birthday.