WIREDGOV

An educational charity have outlined that the high cost of further education has prevented almost half of UK adults gaining advance qualifications. This comes as figures show that the average graduate debt is now £53,000 after tuition fees rose in September 2012. 

NCFE surveyed 2,000 adults across the UK and found that being too old (36%) and family commitments (24%) were also factors when deciding to undertake a further education course.

Despite there being a demand for degrees over the past 20 years, with 140% increase in the number of people studying medicine, and 162% increase in degrees in mass communications and media studies between 2000 and 2012, there is currently a lack of graduates in technical disciplines has led to a significant skills gap.

With an average of 250 people applying for each corporate job, and with 20% of graduates unemployed in their first 6 months after completing their University course, there is an increasing demand for vocational courses and apprenticeships.

In the past couple of years, the Government has put more money than ever into apprenticeships, and with the demand for vocational courses predicted to peak in 2050, there is an ever increasing demand for more practical and vocationally led
courses.

Notes to editors:

• NCFE is one of the UK’s leading awarding organisations, developing and implementing 
• vocational qualifications in a range of subjects. 
• NCFE works with 2,000 colleges, schools and training providers to offer over 300 
• qualifications on the QCF and NQF in a range of subject areas. 
• NCFE works closely with colleges, training providers, schools and employers throughout 
• the UK to develop specific and relevant qualifications which focus on the needs

Media contact:
For more information please contact:
Lindsay Plumpton, PR Officer
Telephone: 0191 239 8049
Email: lindsayplumpton@ncfe.org.uk