Description
This indicator measures the proportion of adults aged 16-64 with SCQF level 4 or below as their highest level of qualification. This captures adults aged 16-64 with low or no qualifications (SCQF level 4 is equivalent to a National 4 qualification).
The low or no qualifications terminology is used within the commentary for this indicator.
Source of Data:
The data for this indicator are gathered through the Annual Population Survey (APS). APS is the largest annual household survey in Scotland and provides information about individuals' personal circumstances and their work. It is carried out by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Results from the ONS Annual Population Survey are published on the Scottish Government website - within the ‘Scotland’s Labour Market: People, Places and Regions' publication.
http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Labour-Market/Publications
Important note: In July 2022 and September 2022, APS responses for periods April 2019 to March 2020 onwards were reweighted using updated HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Real Time Information (RTI) data. The ONS published an article providing further information on the reweighting exercise.
The measurement is based on an estimate of the number of people aged 16-64 who have low or no qualifications (SCQF Level 4 or below).
The current confidence interval around the estimate from the APS is ±0.5%.
Definitions:
The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) uses 12 SCQF Levels to provide an indication of the complexity of qualifications and learning programmes. SCQF Level 1 is the least demanding and SCQF Level 12 is the most demanding. An example of a qualification at SCQF Level 4 would be National 4 (previously a general pass at Standard Grade).
The use of SCQF level 4 or below to define those with low or no skills is similar to the internationally accepted definition used by OECD. The population of interest is people aged 16-64. It is recognised that people who are over 64 years old will have issues around literacy and numeracy which also need to be addressed, however to maximise the link between the indicator and the Government's National Outcomes this particular indicator focuses on the population aged 16-64.
Future Issues or Reviews:
Labour market statistics are revised periodically. The most recent revision took place in September 2022, with data in this series being reweighted back to April 2019-March 2020.
Important note: In July 2022 and September 2022, APS responses for periods April 2019 to March 2020 onwards were reweighted using updated HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Real Time Information (RTI) data. The ONS published an article providing further information on the reweighting exercise. This weighting methodology gives improved estimates of both rates and levels following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Criteria for Change:
This evaluation is based on: any difference within +/- 0.7 percentage points of last year's figure suggests that the position is more likely to be maintaining than showing any change. A decrease of 0.7 percentage points or more suggests the position is improving; whereas an increase of 0.7 percentage points or more suggests the position is worsening.
A guide for the general methodology of indicators can be found here: https://nationalperformance.gov.scot/guide-npf-indicators