Performance

The Data Service produces a quarterly National Statistical First Release (SFR) on post 16 education learner participation and achievement in England, which includes information for Train to Gain.

The full latest SFR can be accessed via The Data Service website: http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/Statistics/

Headline stats are:

Employers[1]

Between April 2006 and March 2009 the Train to Gain skills brokerage service engaged with over 152,000 employers.

• 87% of these engaged employers were Small to Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs).
• The skills brokerage service is now fully integrated with the national Business Link service, simplifying the access point for employers to receive both skills and business advice.

Skills Pledge[2]

During August 2009 the Skills Pledge achieved two significant milestones - over 20,000 employers (20,673) committing to the Skills Pledge and coverage of over 7 million employees.

• 93% of committing employers are Small to Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) - 77% have less than 50 FTE.

Learners[3]

Participation

1,402,300 confirmed learning aim starts between August 2006 and July 2009. This breaks down as;

o Aug 06 – July 07: 238,700 (including 200,100 Level 2 and 22,800 Skills for Life)

o Aug 07 – July 08; 346,200 (including 263,900 Level 2 and 39,200 Skills for Life)

o Aug 08 – April 09; 817,400 (including 516,800 Level 2 and 142,500 Skills for Life)

For the current academic year this represents a 136% increase on the previous academic year and a 139% increase on the cumulative total as at the start of the year.  The final position for 2008/09 will be known after the close of the years ILR in November 2009 and reported through the next SFR.   

• The number of Level 2 starts now exceeds 980,000 and Skills for Life starts stands at nearly 205,000.

Achievements

Since August 2006, 736,000 qualifications have been achieved including 530,400 Level 2 and 115,300 Skills for Life qualifications.

Success Rates for Train to Gain are above the Minimum Level of Performance of 65% and rising year on year – confirmed at 71% for the academic year 2006/07.