School Leavers' Survey Report 2007

New Research highlights the importance of educational attainment in providing long-term opportunities and protecting young people from vulnerable sectors of the economy.

The School Leavers' Survey Report 2007, published today (Friday 20th March 2009) by the Economic and Social Research Institute and the Department of Education and Science, presents the findings from the 2007 School Leavers' Survey of young people who left the second-level education system in the academic year 2004-2005. The key findings are:

• The survey highlights the labour market vulnerability of school leavers with low levels of education. Despite the favourable economic conditions for young people at the time of the survey, those who leave school without any qualifications experience much higher levels of unemployment.
• The apprenticeship route is particularly important for male school leavers at all levels of education, especially those who leave school with a Junior Certificate qualification and the reliance of school leavers on certain sectors of the labour market merits immediate policy attention given the current economic conditions.
• The report highlights a number of positive educational developments in the school completion patterns of school leavers over time. The numbers completing school have reached a new high, and there is evidence that early school leavers are accessing alternative education/training opportunities outside the official second-level system (Youthreach and FETAC courses). However, distinct gender and socio-economic differences persist in early school leaving. Students with lower levels of education are also more likely to express more negative views about the support they got from their teachers.
• In assessing their second-level educational experiences and the contribution of their schooling to a range of skills, school leavers are most positive about the reading, writing and communication skills provided but less positive about preparation for the world of work, preparation for adult life and providing computer skills.
• There is continuing growth in higher education entry with a majority of school leavers now progressing to higher education. Females show higher levels of participation, reflecting their greater likelihood of completing second-level and higher performance in the Leaving Certificate examination. However, the present survey indicates the need for continued educational opportunities beyond second-level education particularly for vulnerable groups, placing emphasis on the need for up-skilling and opportunities for life-long learning.

Dr Delma Byrne (ESRI), co-author of the report, said "Young adults continue to be the group with the highest risk of unemployment and their unemployment rate has increased further since the time of the survey (QNHS Q4 2008). Adequate preparation, in terms of educational and vocational qualifications, will be more important than ever in ensuring that they are equipped to take advantage of a shrinking pool of job opportunities".

Notes for Editors:

• Members of the Media are invited to attend a Media Briefing at the ESRI on Thursday 19 March, at 11am.
• School Leavers' Survey Report 2007, by Delma Byrne, Selina McCoy and Dorothy Watson (ESRI), will be published by The Economic and Social Research Institute and Department of Education and Science on the ESRI website atwww.esri.ie on Friday 20th March 2009. The embargo is until 00:01 a.m. Friday 20th March.
• Since 1980, the ESRI has been involved in conducting a regular survey of school leavers, which provides an invaluable source of information on young people's pathways into further education and the labour market.