Date published: 2005/08/23
The BBC says:
Young people who stay on in education after their GCSEs could earn up to £4,000 more per year than those without good GCSE results, it is claimed.
The Learning and Skills Council says they can expect to earn an estimated £185,000 more over their careers.
It says the education maintenance allowance is encouraging students from low-income families to stay in school.
And it is encouraging pupils to apply for the scheme, which entitles them to payments of up to £30 per week.
The LSC says students who gain A-levels or other advanced qualifications can expect to earn an average yearly salary of £20,692.
But it says those who leave school without obtaining five GCSE passes at grades A*-C or the equivalent can expect an average salary of £16,739.
Head of Learner Support Trevor Fellowes said: "These statistics prove the financial benefits of further education to all young people.
"By staying on to do an academic, vocational or retake course, young people will be setting themselves up for a better future."
A classic confusion of correlation and causation. People in category 1 do better in life than people in category 2 so let's force everybody into category 1 and the world will be a better place. Well extra education at age 16 might indeed be better for students than immediately starting work. But if the case is so clear cut the government should make it mandatory for all people to be educated to age 18.
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