Adult further education learners: matched data earnings analysis: executive summary

This study, carried out by Cambridge Econometrics (CE) and the Warwick Institute for Employment Research (IER), has reviewed existing literature and undertaken analysis of the [Individualised Learner Record-Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study] ILR-WPLS matched dataset and alternative sources of employment and income data. It has considered to what extent, and by which dimensions (to take account of the observable characteristics of learners), the earnings measure can and should be disaggregated to best avoid biased estimates. [The] findings inform the recommendations on how [Department for Business, Innovation and Skills] BIS' new earnings measure is best presented and interpreted for different purposes, taking into account potential biases and issues of disclosure and robustness of the results. [The] review has focussed primarily on the annualised average earnings measure, but [the authors] comment also on the use of the sustained employment rate derived from the same ILR-WPLS matched dataset.

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