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5 QUALIFICATIONS OF 21-22 YEAR OLDS
This chapter focuses on the qualifications that young people have achieved or are continuing to study towards by the age of 18/19. In recent years there have been significant changes made to the nature of qualifications in Scotland, in an attempt to continue to upgrade the qualification profile of young people and to meet the demands of a modern competitive economy. This is reflected in the Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework ( SCQF), with its 12 hierarchical levels from Access 1 to a University Doctorate - a system that promotes progression through a flexible qualification system and formalises equivalences within and between vocational and academic qualifications. In addition, many of the previous age-based restrictions (in particular, in relation to work-based qualifications) have been removed, providing further flexibility. As a result, young people may now pursue a vast array of vocational and academic qualifications at different levels and from different awarding bodies. For ease of presentation, the qualification categories that are presented within tables are reported according to the main qualification types or broad based levels of qualifications, taking account of equivalences within the SCQF and the academic and vocational nature of attainments, and therefore do not reflect the wide range of qualifications studied.
5.1 Highest qualification obtained
At age 18/19, around two-thirds (64%) of young people had obtained some form of qualification through post-compulsory education, although a significant minority had no qualifications aside from Standard Grades. At this stage many young people were continuing to study towards an array of different qualifications (See Table 5-6). By the age of 18/19 over half (54%) had obtained some Highers, although relatively few had yet completed vocational training qualifications. Comparing qualifications by gender shows that females were more likely to have achieved Highers - 56% compared with 52% of males.
Table 5-1 Highest qualification achieved at age 18/19 by gender
All Respondents | Male | Female | Total |
|---|
% | % | % |
|---|
None | 3 | 2 | 2 |
|---|
Standard Grades | 36 | 32 | 34 |
|---|
Level 1-2 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
|---|
Highers | 52 | 56 | 54 |
|---|
Level 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
|---|
Level 4-5 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
|---|
Bases (weighted) | 1642 | 1599 | 3241 |
|---|
Bases (unweighted) | 1359 | 1882 | 3241 |
|---|
5.1.1 Qualifications by stage of leaving school
There was a strong association between the stage young people had left school and whether or not they had obtained additional qualifications. Nearly three-quarters (74%) of those who left school at the end of S4 had not obtained any qualifications aside from those achieved at Standard Grade. Despite this low level of qualifications among minimum age school leavers, some S4 Leavers had already completed vocational qualifications, most commonly at Level 1 or 2, although 10% had a qualification at Level 3 or above. Among those who remained at school to the end of S6, over three-quarters had obtained Highers by the age of 18/19, many of whom were still in education (see below), although a significant minority of those staying on until S6 had not obtained qualifications in advance of Standard Grades (18%).
Table 5-2 Highest qualification at age 18-19 by stage of Leaving School
All Respondents | End of S4 | S5 Xmas Leaver | S5 | S6 | Total |
|---|
% | % | % | % | % |
|---|
None | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
|---|
Standard Grades | 67 | 74 | 66 | 17 | 34 |
|---|
Level 1-2 | 12 | 7 | 14 | 2 | 5 |
|---|
Highers | 4 | 7 | 14 | 77 | 54 |
|---|
Level 3 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
|---|
Level 4-5 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
|---|
Ordinary Degree | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|---|
Honours/Higher Degree | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|---|
Bases (weighted) | 723 | 228 | 104 | 2186 | 3241 |
|---|
Bases (unweighted) | 417 | 152 | 72 | 2600 | 3241 |
|---|
5.1.2 Qualifications by parental social class
There were significant differences in the highest qualifications obtained according to the young person's parental social class based on the highest ranked occupation of either the mother or father. In terms of the qualifications achieved there was a strong linear relationship according to social class in terms of the proportion who had achieved Highers and among those who had not upgraded their qualifications since Standard Grade. Less than a third (30%) of those from a Routine and Semi-routine social background had obtained Highers in contrast to over four-fifths (84%) of those from a Higher Managerial/Professional background. Likewise, those from the Routine and Semi-routine social backgrounds were over-represented among the lower levels of qualification. For example, among those from Professional or Intermediate social backgrounds, only 14% held no qualification higher than Level 2, compared with 64% from Routine and Semi-routine backgrounds. Those from the two lower kinds of social background were however more likely to hold a vocational qualification and this was not restricted to lower level vocational courses - among young people from the Routine and Semi-routine and Unskilled backgrounds, 13% and 15% respectively held a vocational qualification (Levels1-5) compared with only 4% among those from the Higher Managerial/Professional social background.
Table 5-3 Highest qualification at age 18-19 by parental social class
All Respondents | Higher Managerial/Professional | Lower Managerial/Professional | Intermediate & Self-employed | Lower Supervisory & Technical | Routine & Semi-routine | Total |
|---|
% | % | % | % | % | % |
|---|
None | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
|---|
Standard Grades | 11 | 23 | 38 | 44 | 53 | 32 |
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Level 1-2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 5 |
|---|
Highers | 84 | 69 | 50 | 39 | 30 | 56 |
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Level 3 | * | 2 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
|---|
Level 4-5 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 |
|---|
Ordinary Degree | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|---|
Honours/Higher Degree | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Bases (weighted) | 341 | 1089 | 668 | 460 | 419 | 2977 |
|---|
Bases (unweighted) | 453 | 1274 | 646 | 395 | 302 | 2977 |
|---|
5.1.3 Level 3 qualification characteristics
By the age of 18/19, around six out of ten of young people have obtained a Level 3 qualification or above - exceeding the Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework equivalent of Level 6 (this includes Highers). Reflecting their higher levels of attainment in general, 62% of females had obtained at least a Level 3 qualification compared with 57% of the males.
Table 5-4 Percentage with a Level 3 qualification or above by age 18/19
All Respondents | Male | Female | Total |
|---|
% | % | % |
|---|
Level 3 or above | 57 | 62 | 59 |
|---|
Bases (weighted) | 1642 | 1603 | 3241 |
|---|
Bases (unweighted) | 1359 | 1882 | 3241 |
|---|
Figure 5-1 presents some selected characteristics of those who had not obtained a Level 3 qualification by this age and shows the percentage without a Level 3 qualification among each of the categories. There is clearly a strong relationship between initial attainment at Standard Grade and the age at which a young person leaves school and whether or not young people achieve a Level 3 qualification by age 18/19. However, a minority (20%) who have only achieved Standard Grade passes at Grades 3-7 successfully go on to achieve a Level 3 qualification. Social Class background, area deprivation, and living in an Social Inclusion Partnership area also prove to be significant predictors of educational attainment at this level.
Figure 5-1 Percentages of those with selected characteristics who were without a Level 3 qualification or above at age 18/19
Categories of respondent with various social or educational background are shown at the left. The bars to the right show the percentages of respondents in each of these categories who were without a Level 3 qualification or higher by the age of 18/19
5.1.4 Methods of study
Perhaps not surprisingly at this age (18/19) the vast majority of young people have obtained their qualifications through full-time study and alternative modes of study such as those provided through part-time or distance learning were relatively uncommon. Overall only 4 per cent of young people had achieved qualifications through part-time study, whilst 1 % had done so through Distance Learning. Among those who were currently working towards a qualification part-time study was more common with 7% currently studying towards such a qualification.
[Table not shown]
5.1.5 Qualifications across sweeps
Table 5-5 highlights the qualifications obtained at each of the two sweeps for those respondents who took part aged 18/19 in 2005 and the major flows across categories. The first column shows the Standard Grade results of the cohort at age 16/17, while the second column shows their current level of educational achievement at age 18/19. The arrows indicate the main flows of the overall cohort giving an indication of the main routes followed and progression. It is important to note that the qualification data reported for sweep one is restricted to SQA qualifications, whilst the data for sweep 2 at age 18/19 is based on self-report data and therefore, the full range of qualifications is presented.
We can see that nearly half of the cohort is still in some form of education or training at age 18/19 whilst over a quarter had not achieved further qualifications since Standard Grades and were not currently studying.
The major flows across categories indicate that those who are currently studying are mostly drawn from those who had achieved 3+ Standard Grades at Credit Level (34%). Nevertheless a significant group of those currently studying, representing 15% of the cohort, had more moderate Standard Grade achievement. Whilst Standard Grade achievement did not seem to present a barrier to continued learning, a significant group of those with moderate levels of achievement at Standard Grade had not achieved further qualifications by age 18/19 and were not currently studying. At the higher end of achievement (5+ Standard Grades at 1-2) we can observe a group (8%) who although they have gone on to achieve Highers were not currently in education. Further analysis indicated that the majority of these young people had entered the labour market.
Table 5-5 Qualification flows between age 16/17 and age 18/19
Note: flows of less than 5% of the cohort are not shown.
5.2 Continuing to study towards a qualification
Over half (57%) 4 of the cohort were still studying towards some form of qualification at age 18/19. Of those who were currently studying the majority were engaged in some form of higher education, with forty-seven per cent currently studying towards a university degree and over two-fifths studying for a higher vocational qualification (Level 4 or 5). Seventeen per cent were studying a vocational qualification at Level 3 or below.
Table 5-6 Qualification currently being studied
Qualification being studied for | Respondents currently studying |
|---|
% |
|---|
Intermediate 1 or 2 | 2 |
|---|
Highers/ SGA | 5 |
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Level 1 or 2 | 9 |
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Level 3 | 8 |
|---|
HNC(D) Level 4 or 5 | 22 |
|---|
Ordinary Degree | 10 |
|---|
Honours Degree | 35 |
|---|
Postgraduate | 2 |
|---|
Professional Qualification | 2 |
|---|
Other | 5 |
|---|
Bases (weighted) | 1722 |
|---|
Bases (unweighted) | 2029 |
|---|
If we examine the course of study at age 18/19 according to the Standard Grade results achieved at age 16/17 (Table 5-7), we see that among those who achieve 5 or more Standard Grades at Credit Level nearly four fifths are pursuing a university qualification and one in ten a higher vocational qualification. Among those who had only obtained a modest level of attainment at Standard Grade (No passes at 1-2) and were continuing their studies, one in twenty of were studying towards a university degree, whilst a further quarter were studying a higher level vocational qualification (Level 4-5).
Table 5-7 Qualification currently being studied by Standard Grades results at age 16/17
Qualification being studied for | Respondents who were currently studying and who had achieved: |
|---|
5+ Standard Grades at 1-2 | 3-4 Standard Grades at 1-2 | 1-2 Standard Grades at 1-2 | No Standard Grade Passes at 1-2 |
|---|
% | % | % | % |
|---|
Intermediate 1 or 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 8 |
|---|
Highers/ SGA | 3 | 8 | 7 | 6 |
|---|
Level 1 or 2 | 2 | 6 | 20 | 24 |
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Level 3 | 2 | 11 | 15 | 17 |
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HNC(D) Level 4 or 5 | 11 | 38 | 38 | 25 |
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Ordinary Degree | 14 | 10 | 4 | 3 |
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Honours Degree | 61 | 20 | 3 | 2 |
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Postgraduate | 3 | 1 | 1 | - |
|---|
Professional Qualification | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
|---|
Other | 2 | 5 | 6 | 14 |
|---|
Bases (weighted) | 909 | 220 | 319 | 281 |
|---|
Bases (unweighted) | 1407 | 245 | 233 | 144 |
|---|
As around a quarter of the cohort were still studying towards a qualification, in order to present a more accurate portrayal of the likely qualifications to be achieved, Table 5-8 combines those who have already achieved a qualification at each level with those who are currently studying at that level. If we assume that all those currently studying towards a qualification will successfully complete the qualification, we can project that nearly half (48%) of the cohort will obtain a Level 4 qualification or above. However, at the other end of the qualification spectrum, we find one in five (21%) young people who have neither achieved nor are studying towards a qualification above Intermediate 2 or Standard Grade. As reported previously, females were more likely than males to have already obtained a qualification at Level 4 or above, and taking account of those currently studying, this gender difference remains significant (44 % and 52% respectively). The gender gap at the lower end of the qualification spectrum was less significant, where 23% of males and 20% of females had neither obtained nor were expected to obtain a qualification above Standard Grade.
Table 5-8 Qualification achieved or being currently studied towards
Qualification achieved or being studied for | Male | Female | Total |
|---|
% | % | % |
|---|
None | 2 | 1 | 1 |
|---|
Standard Grades/Interm. 1 or 2 | 29 | 26 | 27 |
|---|
Highers/ SGA | 6 | 6 | 6 |
|---|
Level 1 or 2 | 19 | 20 | 20 |
|---|
Level 3 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
|---|
HNC(D) Level 4 or 5 | 11 | 12 | 12 |
|---|
Ordinary Degree | 5 | 5 | 5 |
|---|
Honours/higher Degree | 19 | 22 | 21 |
|---|
Professional Qualification | 1 | 1 | 1 |
|---|
Other | 2 | 2 | 2 |
|---|
Bases (weighted) | 1566 | 1543 | 3109 |
|---|
Bases (unweighted) | 1315 | 1831 | 3146 |
|---|
5.3 Training and qualifications among those in full-time employment
Among those who were in full-time employment aged 18/19 the majority had received some form of training from their employers, most often in the form of on-the-job training (Table 5-9). There was a direct relationship between the provision of training and the size of the employer, with large employers more likely than smaller employers to provide some form of training. Among large employers most training was provided in-house, whilst smaller employers were more likely to provide external training leading to a recognised qualification. In this respect, large employers appear to rely on in-service training provision, rather than providing training that leads to a recognised qualification.
Table 5-9 Type of Training Received training among those currently in full-time work by size of Employer
Type of Training | 1-9
Employees | 10-24
Employees | 25-49
Employees | 50-99
Employees | 100+
Employees | Total |
|---|
% | % | % | % | % | % |
|---|
On-job Training | 90 | 92 | 96 | 92 | 96 | 94 |
|---|
Internal Training Centre | 16 | 27 | 26 | 30 | 37 | 27 |
|---|
Training at College | 24 | 19 | 7 | 19 | 19 | 18 |
|---|
Other Off-job Training | 17 | 16 | 7 | 13 | 11 | 13 |
|---|
Bases (weighted) | 166 | 185 | 113 | 67 | 190 | 722 |
|---|
Bases (unweighted) | 133 | 159 | 98 | 66 | 161 | 617 |
|---|
* Note: percentages do not sum to 100 as they are based on multiple response categories.
There were considerable differences between males and females in terms of respect of training leading to a recognised qualification. Although there was a significant gender gap among all sizes of employers, it was widest among employers with 50-99 employees where only 16% of females were receiving training leading to a qualification compared to over two-fifths (41%) of their male counterparts. It is not clear whether this represents a bias on the part of employers in terms of willingness to invest in the formal training of young women compared to young men, or whether it is partially explained by the mix of 'hard' and 'soft' skills required within gendered occupational segments of the labour market.
Table 5-10 Receiving training leading to a recognised qualification among those currently in full-time work.
Size of employer | Respondents in full-time employment who had received training at work |
|---|
Male | Female | Total |
|---|
% | % | % |
|---|
1-9 Employees | 43 | 41 | 42 |
10-24 | 51 | 45 | 48 |
25-49 | 49 | 38 | 44 |
50-99 | 41 | 16 | 27 |
100+ | 36 | 21 | 34 |
All sizes of Employers | 44 | 37 | 41 |
Bases (weighted) | 379 | 316 | 694 |
Bases (unweighted) | 269 | 327 | 596 |
5.4 Key pointsThe majority of young people had already attained a significant level of qualification success by age 18/19 having achieved qualifications at Level 3 or above.Around half had achieved or were expecting to achieve a qualification equating to Level 4 or above.Over half were still studying towards a qualification at 18/19 - the majority of whom were studying in higher education, although a significant minority were studying towards higher vocational qualifications.Although there was a strong relationship between Standard Grade performance and further qualifications, poor Standard Grade performance was not an automatic barrier to high level educational achievement
- Among those in full-time employment most received some form of training. Large employers were more likely to rely more on in-house training and less likely than small employers to provide training leading to a recognised qualification
- Males were much more likely to receive training leading to a recognised qualification, compared to females and this gap was widest among larger employers.
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