Raising the Participation Age

Were you born on or after 1^st September 1996?  Then the following affects you ……

From the last day of the school year in 2013 all young people in England will be required to stay in learning until the end of the academic year in which they turn 17 (at present, in England, the age for this is 16).  This is referred to as ‘Raising the Participation Age’.   It will increase again (in September 2015) when young people will need to remain in learning until they turn 18 or earlier if they have level 3 qualifications such as 2 A-levels, or similar.

What this means for you
Raising the Participation Age means that you can choose one of the following at 16:

• Take part in work-based learning, like Foundation Learning or an Apprenticeship
• Attend part-time education or learning for one day per week if you are employed, self-employed, or volunteering for 20 hours or more a week
• Remain in education, such as in school or college

Why do I want to do this?
You will get better job prospects and increased earnings over your lifetime. The opportunities for unskilled work are shrinking drastically and your learning will help you compete and hold down work in the future.

Are you able to get a job?
Yes, but only if the company employing you offers you:

• Training towards gaining an accredited qualification
• The opportunity to enrol on accredited learning for the equivalent of one day per week.

NB: Our video which explains Raising the Participation Age was created by London Borough of Havering.