Resources

The FE data library offers data and information on learners, learning programmes and learner achievement. The Skills Funding Agency incorporated the individualised learning record dataset from the Information Authority website when it closed in spring 2014.

• FE data library

The library includes:

• FE and skills: Statistical data set with information on learners, learning programmes and learner achievement.
• Apprenticeships: Statistical data set with information on apprenticeships through a number of reports broken down by starts, achievements,sector, framework, geography, gender, age etc.
• Workplace learning: Statistical data set that covers a broad range of workplace training, from basic skills to level 2, level 3 and other higher level skills such as leadership and management. (Does not include apprenticeships).
• Other statistics and research: includes data on traineeships.
• Equality and diversity: Participation and success rates of apprentices and adult learners by ethnicity, gender, disability and age.

Other useful SFA and government resources include:

• Apprenticeship success data: Apprenticeship national success rates tables and supporting guidance 2012/13.
• Equality and diversity data report 2009/10 to 2011/12 (2013): Adult learner and all age apprenticeship participation and success rates by ethnicity, gender, disability and age.

• Ofsted data dashboard: Contains information on how effectively FE sector providers are performing and how they compare against national averages.
• Official statistics: further education and skills inspections and outcomes (2014): This page has statistics on the inspection of FE and skills providers.

• FE statistics collection: This series of documents includes BIS statistics on FE.
• Further education and skills report – statistical first release (2014): This release presents information on adult (19+) government-funded FE (excluding schools and higher education) and all age (16+) Apprenticeships in England, between 2008/09 and 2012/13.

• DfE publishes range of statistics, commentary, tables and data on education and children.
• NEET (young people not in education, employment or training) data
• Outcomes for children looked after by local authorities in England – statistical first release: Provides national and local authority level information on the outcomes for children who have been looked after by local authorities in England continuously for at least 12 months as at 31 March 2012.

• A list of external FE data sources (includes SFA, BIS and DfE sources).
• Key FE statistics
• Surveys and research

• FE resources

Excellence Gateway: Provides a searchable database of case studies and other sources of sector-based evidence.

• Research resources and support
• Sector-based evidence

Learning Plus UK is a non-profit organisation providing support to the education sector. Their website includes information about planned data releases relevant to the post-16 sector.

• Research publications on children, education and skills
• Research publications on school and college attainment and behaviour

• Creating an inclusive apprenticeship offer Apprenticeships Unit (2012): A survey of data and evidence relating to the participation and success of young people who declare learning difficulties and disabilities in apprenticeships.
• What equality law means to you as an education provider: further and higher education Equality and Human Rights Council (2011): This guide is one of a series written by the commission to explain what you should do to meet the requirements of equality law.
• Good practice evaluation of the diversity in apprenticeship pilots Institute for Employment Studies (2012): Evaluation of 16 pilots which aimed to increase demand for, and supply of, apprenticeships among underrepresented groups.
• Promoting transgender equality in further education Learning and Skills Improvement Service (2010): This guidance provides a greater understanding of transgender issues and the relevant law and good practice in relation to transgender employees and learners.
• Guidance booklet for teaching and professional staff in HE and FE: encouraging gender equality in STEM National HE science, technology, engineering and mathematics programme (2012): This guide has been designed to be used as a starting point for teaching and professionals in HE and FE institutions by providing ideas to support, attract and retain female staff and students in STEM disciplines.
• Putting the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans) into FE NUS (2010): Toolkit including ideas, hints and tips for students and student officers who want to start their own LGBT group. It includes research and information about homophobia and transphobia in FE and practical case studies.
• Race for equality NUS (2011): A report on the experiences of black students in FE and HE.
• Research into sexual orientation and gender identity equality in adult learning Skills Funding Agency (2011): This report aimed to understand how well the FE sector is meeting the needs of LGBT adult learners.
• Religion and belief in adult learning:learner views Skills Funding Agency (2012): This report explores the impact of learners’ religion and/or belief on their experiences of adult learning.

• Effective equality surveys: This practical guidance outlines a step-by-step process of designing and using surveys to gather qualitative and quantitative data. Although tailored to the higher education sector, it has broader applicability to FE.
• Equality in Scotland’s colleges: statistical report 2014: Statistical report that focuses on colleges in Scotland. It may be of use to colleges in England as a guide for analysing and presenting FE equality data.
• Measuring progress on equality: qualitative evidence: This guidance sets out five steps to gathering, analysing and using qualitative evidence to measure progress on equality and determine the impact of specific initiatives. Again, although designed for the higher education sector, it has broader applicability to FE.