1301.0 - Year Book Australia, 2006
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 20/01/2006
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PARTICIPATION IN EDUCATION
Between 1999 and 2004 the demand for placements in education increased, as did the number of people being accepted into educational institutions. Although there was a rise in the number of enrolment applications across all age groups, the number of people unable to gain placement in courses was stable (graph 10.20). Many young people continue in full-time education immediately after completing compulsory schooling, either in post-compulsory schooling or in other forms of education, such as VET. In May 2004, 69% of 15-19 year olds were in full-time education (including 51% still at school). Some young people return to full-time study after a period of absence after completing compulsory schooling. At age 20-24 years, 26% were undertaking full-time study (including a small proportion still at school) and 12% were participating in part-time tertiary study (table 10.21). Many people aged 25 years and over return to study, to upgrade their skills or to gain new skills, and often in conjunction with employment. The education participation rate in May 2004 for people in this age group was higher for those in part-time study (6%) than for those in full-time study (2%).
Between 1999 and 2004 there was a marked shift in the attendance patterns of tertiary students aged 20-24 years, away from part-time study to full-time study. The number of full-time students in this age group increased by 80,700 compared with a decline in part-time student numbers of 14,300. The number of both full-time and part-time students aged 25-64 years increased noticeably during the five-year period (45,500 and 41,000 respectively). Small decreases were recorded for full-time and part-time students aged 15-19 years (graph 10.22). EDUCATION AND WORK Graph 10.23 shows the labour force status of all students aged 15-64 years in May 2004. Some 37% of those studying Year 12 or below were employed and 55% were not in the labour force. In contrast, 66% of those studying for a degree or higher were employed and 29% were not in the labour force. In May 2004 full-time employment was much higher among students aged 20-24 years who were enrolled in a course of study, than among those aged 15-19 years (23% compared with 8%). In both age groups, students who undertook part-time study were more frequently employed full time than part time (table 10.24). FULL-TIME PARTICIPATION The 'full-time participation rate' describes the proportion of the population who are either in full-time education, or in full-time work, or in both part-time work and part-time education or training. This helps to identify those young people not currently engaged in full-time educational activity who may have difficulty in fully participating in the labour market. Table 10.24 implies that, in May 2004, 14% of people aged 15-19 years and 23% of 20-24 year olds would be at risk of marginal participation in the labour market later in their lives.
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