1301.0 - Year Book Australia, 2005  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 21/01/2005   
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Contents >> Education and training >> Demand for education

In May 2003, 2.7 million people aged 15-64 years had applied to enrol in a course of study. Of these, 91% had gained a place and were studying (table 10.22).


10.22 PARTICIPATION IN EDUCATION(a) - May 2003

Males
Females
Persons
'000
'000
'000

Applied to enrol
1,254.4
1,419.7
2,674.1
Studying
1,155.7
1,280.1
2,435.8
Gained placement but deferred study
62.0
94.6
156.6
Unable to gain placement
36.6
45.0
81.6

(a) Persons aged 15-64 years.

Source: ABS data available on request, Survey of Education and Work, 2003.


Between 1998 and 2003 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 10.23).

Graph 10.23: PARTICIPATION IN EDUCATION, By age group



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 2003, 70% 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 11% were participating in part-time tertiary study (table 10.24).

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 2003 for people in this age group was higher for those in part-time study (6.2%) than for those in full-time study (2.0%).


10.24 EDUCATION PARTICIPATION RATES(a) - May 2003

Age group (years)

15-19
20-24
25-64
%
%
%

Attending school
51.1
**-
**-
Attending tertiary(b)
Full-time
18.5
26.3
2.0
Part-time
7.9
11.1
6.2
Total
26.4
37.4
8.2
Total attending
77.5
37.5
8.3
Not attending
22.5
62.5
91.7
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0

(a) Persons aged 15-64 years.
(b) Educational institutions offering post-school courses.

Source: ABS data available on request, Survey of Education and Work, 2003.


Between 1998 and 2003 there was a notable 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 115,000 compared with a decline in part-time student numbers of 18,000. The number of both full-time and part-time students aged 25-64 years increased noticeably during the five-year period (62,000 and 77,000 respectively). Small increases were also recorded for full-time and part-time students aged 15-19 years (graph 10.25).

Graph 10.25: PARTICIPATION IN TERTIARY EDUCATION(a), By age group



Education and work

Graph 10.26 indicates the labour force status of all students aged 15-64 years in May 2003. Some 33% of those studying Year 12 or below were employed and 61% were not in the labour force. In contrast, 65% of those studying for a degree or higher were employed and 30% were not in the labour force.

In May 2003 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 (24% compared with 7%). In both age groups, students who undertook part-time study were more frequently employed full time than part time (table 10.27).

Graph 10.26: PARTICIPATION IN EDUCATION, By labour force status - May 2003



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 10.27 implies in May 2003, 13% of people aged 15-19 years and 23% of 20-24 year olds faced that difficulty.


10.27 PARTICIPATION IN EDUCATION, By labour force status - May 2003

Enrolled in study(a)

Full-time
Part-time
Total
Not enrolled
Total
'000
'000
'000
'000
'000

15-19 YEARS

In the labour force
Employed
Full-time
*5.4
71.8
77.2
141.2
218.4
Part-time
361.5
22.1
383.6
72.8
456.4
Total
366.9
93.9
460.9
214.0
674.8
Unemployed
66.0
8.5
74.5
50.1
124.6
Not in the labour force
515.5
5.9
521.3
42.3
563.6
Total
948.4
108.3
1,056.7
306.3
1,363.0

20-24 YEARS

In the labour force
Employed
Full-time
14.4
111.5
125.9
571.5
697.5
Part-time
185.9
29.2
215.1
121.7
336.8
Total
200.3
140.7
341.0
693.2
1,034.2
Unemployed
21.2
6.2
27.4
87.3
114.8
Not in the labour force
149.4
9.6
158.9
100.1
259.0
Total
370.9
156.5
527.4
880.6
1,408.0

(a) All persons participating in education, including those whose study will not lead to a qualification.

Source: ABS data available on request, Survey of Education and Work, 2003.



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