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Welsh Government
Data Provider: Welsh Government National Statistics 24c. Education - Percentage of working age adults qualified to National Qualification Framework level 4 or above (WEL)

Data for 1997-2000 are based on a four-quarter average of quarterly LFS data. Data for 2001 to 2003 are based on the ‘boosted’ annual LFS for Wales and represent the period from March each year to February the following year. As a result estimates for 2001 onwards are more reliable than for previous years and comparisons over time should be treated with caution. Figures for 2004 represent the calendar year ending in December 2004 and are from the Annual Population Survey.

Chart corresponding to the data table
None
[Collapse]AgeWorking age adults include males aged 18-64 and females aged 18-59. [Filtered]
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Age 1[Filter]
QualificationNational Qualification Framework (NQF) level of the highest qualification held. Data have previously been presented as NVQ equivalencies. From September 2004, the National Qualification Framework (NQF) was expanded and the former levels 4 and 5 were divided into more precise levels (4-8). Data are now presented according to this classification.Some additional qualifications have been added to the the list included on the LFS questionnaire for 2004, which will slightly improve the estimates.A full list of the qualifications included for each NQF level can be found in the StatsWales folder that contained this table. However the following are EXAMPLE qualifications that included at each level:Below level 2: NVQ level 1, Entry Level qualifications, Basic SkillsLevel 2: NVQ level 2 or equivalent, 5 or more GCSE A*-C, 2 AS levelsLevel 3: 2 A level passes, 4 AS level passes, NVQ level 3, Advanced Welsh BaccLevels 4-6: First degrees, Foundation degrees, NVQ level 4Levels 7-8: Postgraduate qualifications, NVQ level 5 [Filtered]
Measure1
YearFor years labelled 1996/2001 to 2004 in this dataset, the actual periods covered are the 12 months running from March in the year given to February in the following year (e.g. 2001 = 1 March 2001 to 28 February 2002). For 1996 to 2000 the data were calculated using an average of the four quarterly surveys. From 2001 onwards the Annual Local Labour Force Survey, which contained a fourfold boost to the Welsh sample, has been used.Since 2004, the annual data have been produced on a rolling annual basis, updated every three months. The rolling annual averages are on a calendar basis with the first rolling annual average presented here covering the period 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2005. Note therefore that there is a two-month overlap between the last period presented on the former March to February basis, and the first period on the new basis. [Filter]
[Collapse]Gender[Filter]
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Gender 1
Click here to sort2001Click here to sort2002Click here to sort2003Click here to sort2004Click here to sortYear end 31 Dec 2005Click here to sortYear end 31 Dec 2006Click here to sortYear end 31 Dec 2007Click here to sortYear end 31 Dec 2008Click here to sortYear end 31 Dec 2009Click here to sortYear end 31 Dec 2010Click here to sortYear end 31 Dec 2011Click here to sortYear end 31 Dec 2012Click here to sortYear end 31 Dec 2013Click here to sortYear end 31 Dec 2014Click here to sortYear end 31 Dec 2015
[Collapse]Persons22.123.224.125.425.926.127.328.429.730.631.532.533.535.636.1
PersonsMales22.223.223.624.725.425.226.526.828.129.029.429.931.432.733.1
Females22.023.324.726.226.527.028.230.131.432.433.735.335.738.839.3

Metadata

Title

Levels of highest qualifications held by working age adults by age group and gender

Last update

April 2016 April 2016

Next update

April 2017 (provisional)

Publishing organisation

Welsh Government

Source 1

Annual Population Survey, Office for National Statistics

Contact email

post16ed.stats@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Designation

National Statistics

Lowest level of geographical disaggregation

Wales

Geographical coverage

Wales

Languages covered

English only

General description

Data are presented for working age adults i.e. including males aged 18-64 and females aged 18-59, according to their age at the start of the academic year.

Contact: Post16ed.stats@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Data collection and calculation

Source: Annual Population Survey/Welsh Local Labour Force Survey, Office for National Statistics

The data presented are based on the results of the Annual Population Survey for 2004 onwards, and from the annual Local Labour Force Survey for Wales for 2001-2003, both of which are household surveys carried out by the Office for National Statistics.

From 2001, annual Local Labour Force Survey (LLFS) data collected in Wales were based on a significantly enhanced sample.

The survey asks respondents for qualifications that they hold, and from this information the highest qualification held by the respondent is calculated. The highest qualifications are grouped into National Qualification Framework (NQF) levels. Figures are provided for those obtaining qualifications at least at a certain level, and qualifications up to and including a certain level.

Data were previously been presented as NVQ equivalencies. From September 2004, the National Qualification Framework (NQF) was expanded and the former levels 4 and 5 were divided into more precise levels (4-8). Data are now presented according to this classification.

Frequency of publication

Annual

Data reference periods

For years labelled 2001 to 2004 in this dataset, the actual periods covered are the 12 months running from March in the year given to February in the following year (e.g. 2001 = 1 March 2001 to 28 February 2002).

Since 2004, the annual data have been produced on a rolling annual basis, updated every three months. The rolling annual averages are on a calendar basis with the first rolling annual average presented here covering the period 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2004.

Note therefore that there is a two-month overlap between the last period presented on the former March to February basis, and the first period on the new basis.

Users, uses and context

The statistics are used within the Welsh Government to monitor trends in qualification levels and specifically are included within the Skills Performance measures and the Tackling Poverty Action Plan.

Rounding applied

Percentages are rounded to one decimal place.

Statistical quality

As the data come from a survey, the results are sample-based estimates and therefore subject to differing degrees of sampling variability, i.e. the true value for any measure lies in a differing range about the estimated value. This range or sampling variability increases as the detail in the data increases; for example local authority data are subject to higher variability than regional data.

Keywords

Qualifications

Name

EDUC0008