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7 An increase in the proportion of 19-year-olds with at least a Level 2 qualification or equivalent (England).
Baseline and trends: Baseline year –2004. The baseline has changed in OFA 9 (from 1996 in OFA 8 to 2004 in OFA 9) to allow comparability of the baseline and the latest data. There has been an overall increase in the percentage of 19-year-olds with at least a Level 2 qualification from 69.8 per cent in 1996 to 76.6 per cent in 2003. Data from 2004 onwards are not comparable with earlier years: 66.3 per cent of 19-year-olds had at least a Level 2 qualification in 2004 (the baseline), which increased to 71.4 per cent in 2006.
| 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | Baseline 2004* |
2005 | 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 69.8% | 72.5% | 74.1% | 75.2% | 75.6% | 75.0% | 75.2% | 76.6% | 66.3% |
69.3% | 71.4% |
*Note: Data from 2004 onwards are not comparable with earlier years. Data up to 2003 are based on the Labour Force Survey and data from 2004 onwards are based on administrative data. Figures for 2004 and 2005 have been revised since last year due to more up-to-date data, better matching between data sources and improved source data quality. |
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Definition: Until 2004, the related Department for Children, Schools and Families PSA target was monitored using the Labour Force Survey, but this source is no longer used for that purpose. Since 2004, the PSA target has instead been monitored using a new methodology based on matched administrative data.
The move to this new method was implemented following a National Statistics Quality Review.
Up to 2003, people were counted as being qualified to Level 2 or above if they achieved at least five GCSEs at grades A*–C, an Intermediate GNVQ, two or three AS Levels, or an NVQ Level 2 or equivalent vocational qualification.
From 2004 onwards, people have been counted as being qualified to Level 2 or above if they have achieved at least five GCSEs at grades A*–C, an Intermediate GNVQ (though only in combination with other Intermediate GNVQs or GCSEs at A*–C), two or more AS Levels, an NVQ Level 2 or higher or a full VRQ at Level 2 or higher.
Data source: Labour Force Survey, autumn quarters, up to 2003. Matched administrative data, 2004 onwards, taken from Pupil Level Annual Schools Census, awarding body data collected as part of the Achievement and Attainment Tables exercise, National Information System for Vocational Qualifications and Individualised Learner Record.
Further information:
This year’s report can be found at: http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000710/index.shtml