Better options knowledge could encourage young people to stay on in learning

Young people are missing out because their parents aren’t aware of the many learning routes available today, according to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). New research from the LSC shows that despite the wide variety of learning routes available, eight in ten (80 per cent) parents encourage their children to follow traditionally academic routes such as A Levels or GCSE retakes. Some young people may be better suited to other types of learning, but leave education thinking it will be like school and, therefore, is not for them.

With 68 per cent of young people turning to their parents for advice about their options, the LSC is urging all parents to find out more about the routes their children could take and the financial support available in the form of Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA), a weekly payment of up to £30 which young people could be eligible for if they stay on in learning.

When most parents were younger their choices were probably limited to either the ‘academic’ route, such as A-Levels, or to leave education and get a job, but today there have never been so many ways to return or stay on in learning and they don’t all mean staying on in the classroom. Courses range from A-Levels or Diplomas to more vocational courses which are as far reaching as Construction, Fashion and Textiles, and New Media.

To help parents and young people, the LSC is encouraging them to ring their local Connexions service, speak to careers teachers and have a look at the online prospectus available at www.dcsf.gov.uk/prospectus for information on different learning programmes in their area.

EMA is also available to support young people from households with an income of up to £30,810 but close to a third of young people are unaware that EMA is available on vocational courses[i][i]. For more information on EMA visit www.direct.gov.uk/ema or call the helpline on 0800 121 8989.

Trevor Fellowes, Director of Learner Support at the Learning and Skills Council, which operates EMA, said:

“EMA isn’t just available for traditional subjects such as GCSE retakes and A- Levels – 34,600 young people are currently receiving EMA on a work based learning programme. We urge young people to find out if they are eligible to ensure that money is not an obstacle in helping all young people fulfill their learning potential.”