Improving the collection of qualifications data

This report presents the findings of a three-stage research project undertaken between March and October 2005 on behalf of the UK Department for Education and Skills (DfES). The Labour Force Survey (LFS) collects a range of data on individuals’ characteristics, labour market activities and education, including qualifications. This information is used to inform policy on learning issues, including the achievement of national targets according to National Qualification Framework (NQF) levels. Within the LFS, individuals are required to list all their qualifications, beginning with the highest, which is later assigned to the corresponding NQF level as part of the analysis. Those whose qualifications do not fit into the existing pre-code list are recorded as having ‘Other’ qualifications along with all foreign and professional qualifications. There is evidence that the LFS under-reports the achievement of lower level qualifications, particularly among older respondents. This project investigates how people understand and respond to questions about qualifications, in order to improve the qualifications data that is collected via the LFS and other social surveys. It aims to: review the accuracy of the formula currently used to apportion ‘Other’ qualifications across Levels 1, 2 and 3; explore what people count as qualifications, and how they perceive qualifications as opposed to ‘learning’; ascertain what people understand by ‘vocational’ qualifications and how far they associate these with ‘qualifications’ per se; and develop and pilot improved questions on qualifications.

This report presents the findings of a three-stage research project undertaken between March and October 2005 on behalf of the UK Department for Education and Skills (DfES). The Labour Force Survey (LFS) collects a range of data on individuals’ characteristics, labour market activities and education, including qualifications. This information is used to inform policy on learning issues, including the achievement of national targets according to National Qualification Framework (NQF) levels. Within the LFS, individuals are required to list all their qualifications, beginning with the ...  [+] Show more