Search results

The Further Education (FE) Learners Longitudinal Survey examines the destinations of FE learners over a period of 18-21 months. These findings are from the Wave 1 survey that interviewed learners who undertook an FE course in 2003-2004, about one year after completing their course. The Wave 2 survey takes places 12 months after Wave 1, and will attempt to re-interview all Wave 1 respondents who agreed to be re-contacted. The survey examines adult learners (19 or over) only, and focuses mainly on learners who completed their course. The key objectives of the survey are to: analyse the nature of the destinations that FE learners take after learning, such as into employment, further learning or training, and the impact this learning has on their future learning participation; assess what impact learning has on socio-economic circumstances (employment status, income), particularly the cumulative impact of further learning on the individual’s welfare; and assess what impact learning has on wider outcomes such as health benefits and active citizenship. The survey found that overall, 21% of FE learners were on a course that aimed to increase their level of qualification and expressed very positive attitudes towards their course. Learners felt that they had gained a number of benefits from their FE course, such as a gain in self-confidence and motivation. The effect of their FE learning on employment was related to the type of learning undertaken. Cost is seen as a barrier to further learning, particularly by those who are motivated to undertake more courses.