§ Baroness Sharp of Guildfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
What proportion of basic skills qualifications achieved in (a) 2002–03; and (b) 2003–04 were completed by young people as part of their (i) GCSEs; and (ii) key skills. [HL3639]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Skills (Baroness Ashton of Upholland)Skills for Life caters for the literacy and numeracy skills needs of post-16 learners; that is, those who are no longer in compulsory education. The national strategy has an initial target to improve the skills of 750,000 adults by 2004. Individuals count towards the target if they improve their skills evidenced by achieving a relevant national qualification, including key skills in communication and application of number at Levels 1 and 2, and GCSEs in English and maths. This includes young people over the age of 16 who leave school without fulfilling their full potential and opt to retake GCSEs or key skills with LSC-funded FE providers.
24WAThe table below shows available data on Skills for Life qualifications achieved in 2002–03. Data for 2003–04 are not yet available.
Learning and Skills Council-funded Further Education Skills for Life qualifications achieved in 2002–03 (thousands) Under 19 Adults Total Percentage GCSEs, of which: 48 23 71 31% Maths 27 13 40 English 21 9 31 Key Skills level 1 and 2 (including test achievements) of which: 59 9 68 30% Communication 34 5 39 Application of number 25 4 29 Basic Skills, of which: 16 71 87 38% Literacy 4 12 15 Numeracy 4 8 12 Language 8 52 60 Total 123 103 227 100%