According to new figures from the Learning and Skills Council, LSC-funded students in further education (FE) are achieving better results than in previous years. Nearly 80 percent achieved qualifications in 2000/01 - a substantial rise from 74.5 percent the previous year.

Retention of LSC-funded students in FE colleges also improved for the 2000/2001 teaching year. Eighty-seven percent enrolled in full-time study stayed for the duration of their course, compared to 85.6 percent the previous year. Overall, more than 85 percent of Council funded students enrolled in courses of 12 weeks or more completed their course - up from 83.9 percent the previous year.

The figures also confirm an upward trend in learner numbers in the 2000/01 teaching year with an increase in LSC-funded FE learners to 3.46 million, boosting last year’s figure by nearly 5 percent. Over 19s account for 2.82 million of this total, a 6.2 percent increase on last year. Numbers in the under-19 age group fell by 1.3 percent.

Bryan Sanderson, Chairman of the LSC said: "FE colleges and students are to be congratulated on this. Coupled with an increase in overall student numbers, an improvement in the achievement of students on LSC funded courses is a very good sign for the future. However, we recognise that the fall in the numbers of under-19 year olds is a matter of concern. It is important that we move quickly to address this and attract more young people into learning in the sector."

The full statistics will be available fro here.