National Targets for Education and Training

The National Targets for Education and Training aim to provide the clear focus needed to raise expectations and attainment. The Targets are challenging. By the year 2000, the aim is for:

• 85% of young people to achieve five GCSEs at grade C or above, an Intermediate GNVQ or an NVQ level 2 by age 19;
• 75% of young people to achieve level 2 competence in communication, numeracy and IT by age 19; and 35% to achieve level 3 competence in these core skills by age 21; and
• 60% of young people to achieve two GCE A levels, an Advanced GNVQ or NVQ level 3 by age 21.

The Government has encouraged schools, colleges and universities to set themselves challenging, achievable targets for improved student attainment. Training and Enterprise Councils in concert with LEAs and other local partners have a key role in providing a local framework within which schools and colleges can make progress towards the Targets.

The Targets also include lifetime targets for the workforce. By the year 2000 the aim is for:

• 60% of the workforce to be qualified to NVQ level 3, Advanced GNVQ or two GCE A level standard;
• 30% of the workforce are to have a vocational professional, management or academic qualification at NVQ level 4 or above.