Clear connection between qualifications, jobs & pay

The latest figures published by the New Policy Institute (NPI) show the crucial, clear and continuing connection between educational qualifications and the prospects of being either out of work or low paid in work.

The NPI is a think tank supported by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation in its monitoring of poverty in the UK and the extent to which government targets in reducing it are being achieved. It covers a wide range of targets related to poverty and publishes once a month those for which more up to date information has been received during the month.

Their April figures on the Impact of Qualifications on Work show that two out of every three employees aged 25-29 with no educational qualifications were paid less than £7 an hour compared to one in ten of those with degrees.

The same pattern is repeated in chances of getting a job in the first place. The April figures show that one in every five young people aged 25-29 with no educational qualifications wanted, but couldn't get, paid work compared with only one in every 20 of those with a degree.

Reporter: David Bartlett (RoFTRA)

Date article online: 07/05/2008