Qualifications becoming essential to find any job, not just well-paid ones, says TUC

Commenting on new figures published today (Wednesday) by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which found that the unemployment rate for men (12.9 per cent) and women (10.8 per cent) with no qualifications was more than twice that of people with at least one qualification (5.2 per cent for men, 4.3 per cent for women), TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“Qualifications have always been an important way to raise your income. Now they’re becoming essential to find any type of work.

“Millions of people today have little or no qualifications – including many who missed out on school and have never been given a second chance.

“Everyone should have the opportunity to gain meaningful qualifications. The government can ensure this by investing in decent apprenticeships and offering a guaranteed job or training to any young person out of work for six months.”

The ONS report also found that fewer than half (48.5 per cent) of those with no qualifications were in employment, compared with 8 in 10 (80.7 per cent) of those with at least one qualification.

NOTES TO EDITORS:
- The ONS report is available at www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census/2011-census/qualifications-and-labour-market-participation-in-england-and-wales/rpt---qualifications-and-labour-market-participation-in-england-and-wales.html
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