LSC Reports Increase in Success Rate for FE Sector

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Figures released by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) show that more learners than ever are achieving success in the FE sector, with major leaps recorded in priority areas outlined in the recent FE White Paper, “Further Education: Raising Skills, Improving Life Chances”.

The figures present information on LSC funded learner outcomes in post-16 education and training in England in 2004/05, and show record success levels across both FE and in Work Based Learning (WBL). The “Success for All” programme established that a target of 72 % should be met in terms of success rates in the FE sector. However, the LSC reports that this target has been exceeded, with a 75 % increase.

Growing Achievement

The LSC report also boasts of high learner achievement, meeting some of the priority areas as set out in the White Paper. The figures include: a 6 % increase in the success rate for 16-18 year olds taking full Level 2 (five GCSEs or equivalent) and a five percentage point increase in success rates for adults following the same programmes. This represents a significant step forward in the work to achieve the Government’s Level 2 PSA targets.

Secondly, learning aims at Level 2 demonstrate the greatest increase in successrates (an increase of 5%), while Levels 1 and 3 showed an improvement in success rates of 2 and 3 percentage points, respectively. Furthermore, it has been noted that an increase in success rates for complete frameworks in Advanced Apprenticeships and Apprenticeships (at Level 2) of 5 % and 10 % in 2004 / 2005.

The Reaction

Mark Haysom, Chief Executive of the LSC, commented: “This is great news for the FE sector, and I congratulate the learners, lecturers and training providers who have worked tirelessly to drive up achievement. The LSC is fully committed to working with the sector to drive up success rates as we move forward with the LSC agenda for change, and enter a new phase heralded by last week’s FE White Paper.”

He continued, saying: “I am optimistic that this upward trend will continue apace. Our continued commitment to giving financial support to encourage young people to stay in learning post-16, offering employers access to free Level 2 provision for their workforce, and the new entitlement to free tuition for 19-25 year olds working towards their first full Level 3 qualification will play a vital role moving forward.”

Bill Rammell MP, Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education, commented: “More Post 16 students than ever are achieving good results and we are seeing crucial rises in qualifications at Level 2 giving people the skills they need for employability.” However, he also remarks: “colleges and providers must focus on specialisation, quality and tackling underperformance to achieve our vision for all young people and adults to gain the skills to meet the needs of employers.”

Sudakshina Mukherjee

Watch this space for more on the scrutiny of these figures!

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