College of FE welcomed highest number of school leavers in 2012

A RECORD number of 16-year-olds stayed in full-time education in 2012, school leaver figures have shown.

Out of a year group of 692, the number choosing to stay in school or go into work-based training and apprenticeships rose from 86% last year to 90%, with 2% going into employment and 4% classed as not in education, employment or training (NEET). The remaining 4% have left the island.

Lifelong learning manager Alun Williams said the figures were positive.

'We've spent a lot of time in schools making it clear that if people are looking to improve their opportunities for employment then in the long term staying in education gives a distinct advantage – it's a message we've been trying to get across for many years,' he said.