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| School drop-outs regret quitting | School drop-outs regret quitting |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| Half of young adults who dropped out of school aged 16 regretted their decision later, a survey suggests. | Half of young adults who dropped out of school aged 16 regretted their decision later, a survey suggests. |
| A third of the 1,110 adults surveyed, who left school after GCSEs, said they realised going back into education was the only route to a better job. | |
| Some 29% told the poll for the Learning and Skills Council they later returned to class to boost their earnings. | Some 29% told the poll for the Learning and Skills Council they later returned to class to boost their earnings. |
| The UK has one of the highest school drop-out rates in the industrialised world. | The UK has one of the highest school drop-out rates in the industrialised world. |
| The LSC research found 30% of drop-outs at the age of 16 return to education within a year, while 59% return within five years. | The LSC research found 30% of drop-outs at the age of 16 return to education within a year, while 59% return within five years. |
| The vast majority of employers we questioned think it is essential for job applicants to have a basic set of qualifications Julia DowdLearning and Skills Council | The vast majority of employers we questioned think it is essential for job applicants to have a basic set of qualifications Julia DowdLearning and Skills Council |
| Although a third said they had gained valuable life skills in their time out, just over a quarter (26%) felt having a break prepared them to continue with their education and training. | Although a third said they had gained valuable life skills in their time out, just over a quarter (26%) felt having a break prepared them to continue with their education and training. |
| But some 51% who dropped out for good later regretted this decision, the poll found. | But some 51% who dropped out for good later regretted this decision, the poll found. |
| Director of young people's learning at the LSC, Julia Dowd, said she hoped youngsters would be encouraged to think more seriously about their options by the findings. | Director of young people's learning at the LSC, Julia Dowd, said she hoped youngsters would be encouraged to think more seriously about their options by the findings. |
| She said: "By getting five good GCSEs or a Level 2 Diploma, they are more likely to be in a good job with prospects and a good wage. | She said: "By getting five good GCSEs or a Level 2 Diploma, they are more likely to be in a good job with prospects and a good wage. |
| "We know this because the vast majority of employers we questioned think it is essential for job applicants to have a basic set of qualifications before applying for a job." | "We know this because the vast majority of employers we questioned think it is essential for job applicants to have a basic set of qualifications before applying for a job." |
| School until 18? | School until 18? |
| Skills Minister Phil Hope added: "The good news is that there has never been so many ways to achieve this minimum level of qualifications. | Skills Minister Phil Hope added: "The good news is that there has never been so many ways to achieve this minimum level of qualifications. |
| "After young people leave compulsory education at 16, they can study a huge variety of courses at college, school or in the workplace. | "After young people leave compulsory education at 16, they can study a huge variety of courses at college, school or in the workplace. |
| "It is never too late to return to learning and change your future for the better." | "It is never too late to return to learning and change your future for the better." |
| Five million adults lack functional literacy and more than 17 million have difficulties with numbers. | Five million adults lack functional literacy and more than 17 million have difficulties with numbers. |
| And at least one in six youngsters leave school unable to read, write or add up properly. | And at least one in six youngsters leave school unable to read, write or add up properly. |
| Paid to study | Paid to study |
| Recently a government-commissioned review of skills called for 90% of adults to be qualified to GCSE or equivalent vocational diploma level. | Recently a government-commissioned review of skills called for 90% of adults to be qualified to GCSE or equivalent vocational diploma level. |
| But Lord Leitch's review of skills also suggested there were too many vocational qualifications, many with few benefits. | But Lord Leitch's review of skills also suggested there were too many vocational qualifications, many with few benefits. |
| The Department for Education and Skills has confirmed plans to ensure that all young people remain in school or training until the age of 18. | The Department for Education and Skills has confirmed plans to ensure that all young people remain in school or training until the age of 18. |
| It has set up a variety of initiatives to encourage teenagers to remain in education, training or workplace learning after they reach 16. | It has set up a variety of initiatives to encourage teenagers to remain in education, training or workplace learning after they reach 16. |
| Under the education maintenance allowance, teenagers from households earning less than £30,000 are paid between £10 and £30 a week to stay on at college or school. | Under the education maintenance allowance, teenagers from households earning less than £30,000 are paid between £10 and £30 a week to stay on at college or school. |
| Of the 602,000 17-year-olds in England, 14% are not in education training or employment. | Of the 602,000 17-year-olds in England, 14% are not in education training or employment. |
| YouGov interviewed 1,110 adults aged 18 and over who had dropped out of education aged 16 or younger. | YouGov interviewed 1,110 adults aged 18 and over who had dropped out of education aged 16 or younger. |