Search Results

Pseudo cohorts are 'artificially created data sets constructed from repeated cross-sections'. They enable analysis of the extent to which the growth in qualifications held by the population is a result of skill upgrading as individuals age, and to what extent it is caused by new, more highly educated cohorts entering the workforce to replace older, less well-qualified workers. This report details such an analysis undertaken for the UK, France, Germany and the US. The analysis considers three cohorts: the first is aged 19-21 in 1985, and is then observed again in 1991 when its members are aged 25-27, and in 1997, when they are aged 31-33; the second cohort is constructed so that its members are aged 19-21 in 1991, 25-27 in 1997 and 31-33 in 2003; and the third cohort created is aged 19-21 in 1997, and 25-27 in 2003. The report considers the results for the UK and then compares those in the other countries. The report concludes that, although the education level of young people in the UK is rising (both within and between cohorts), gains are only being made in some respects on the other countries in terms of closing the skills gap. Show less

In 1995, the then UK Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) and The Cabinet Office commissioned the first skills audit research to compare qualification levels in the UK, France, Germany, the USA and Singapore (report indexed at TD/TNC 63.282). This report updates the figures for these countries. Its aim is to enable UK policy makers to make accurate observations about how stocks of qualifications in the UK population compare with other countries. The study found that: significant improvements have been made in the UK’s qualification levels with the UK now closing the gap with other countries; the UK had the highest growth rate of all countries for qualifications at level two and above; the UK still has the lowest proportion at Level 2+ compared to the other countries studied; and the increase in qualification levels in the UK has been mainly in general, rather than vocational qualifications. The contents are: The UK in 2003 compared with the other countries in the audit (France, Germany, Singapore, US); General and vocational qualifications at Level 2 and above and Level 3 and above; Qualifications at NQF equivalent levels 4 and 5; Average annual growth rates of proportions of the population with qualifications at Levels 2 and 3 and above 1994-2003; Narrowing the gap between the UK and France, Germany, Singapore and the US; Qualification levels of women, 2002/3 at Level 2 and above; Employed and total populations: employment ratios by qualification level; Main conclusions. Show less