The number of young people in the Scottish Borders leaving school and entering further and higher education, training or employment is at its highest level in five years according to recent statistics
In 2022/23, 96.84% of school leavers were in an initial positive destination on leaving school. This is higher than the national average which is 95.87%.
Of the young people who experience greater levels of poverty, 96.84% went into a positive destination. This is also at the highest level for five years, with 47% moving onto further education.
Further figures
Of the 1200 young people who left one of our schools in June 2023, 34% went on to higher education and 25% to further education. 31% of pupils leaving school went into employment, which is 6% above the national average. These figures highlight the work that schools and partners are doing to support young people into local employment and apprenticeships. Partners include Skills Development Scotland, Developing the Young Workforce, Our Employment service, Community Learning and Development and Borders College.
The percentage of young people unemployed and seeking employment is 1.58%, which is not only below the national level but is also the lowest figure for 5 years also.
Councillor Leagh Douglas, Executive Member for Education and Lifelong Learning
“These latest figures are extremely encouraging. They demonstrate the work that our schools and partners are doing to support our young people, in presenting all of the options that are available to them and supporting them on their own journey to a positive destination."