In addition, here are the figures for the Scottish qualifications framework.
Number
Scottish Advanced Higher
3
Scottish National Certificate
1
Scottish Higher
89
Scottish Intermediate 1
48
Scottish Intermediate 2
97
Scottish Standard A-C
590
Scottish Standard D-G
37
Recruits were also recorded as having 658; Basic Skills’, 39 ‘GCEs’, two ‘CSEs’ and three Modern apprenticeships.
A rmy
Basic Skills Levels—The Army reflects the national basic skills picture (within 1 per cent.). Roughly 45 per cent. of all soldiers joining the Army are below Level 1 (GCSE D-G) but since August 2003 80 per cent. of soldiers achieve LI literacy and numeracy within three years. Since 2002, 21,874 national literacy and numeracy qualifications have been awarded to soldiers.
Apprenticeships—65 per cent. of soldiers (4,800) embark on an apprenticeship at either Level 2 (GCSE A*-C) or 3 (A Level) either within Phase 2 training or the Field Army. The Army's achievement rate of apprenticeships is 75 per cent. compared to the national average of 60 per cent. Apprenticeships also include support for literacy and numeracy and as part of the apprenticeship soldiers gain Level 1 literacy and numeracy qualifications.
Accreditation—The majority of training within the Army is accredited to nationally recognised qualifications (March 2007 to April 2008 there were 15,451 Awards). These awards range from Level 1 qualifications through to masters degrees.
Learning credits—All soldiers are entitled to claim learning credits to support their elective educational courses which include academic and vocational qualifications.
Officers
In 2007-08, 585 cadets who commenced training at the Royal Military academy Sandhurst (RMAS) were graduate entrants this represents 82 per cent. of a total of 715 who began the standard career courses.
Substantive answer from Bob Ainsworth to Sally Keeble:
I undertook to write to you in answer to your Parliamentary Question on 19 January 2009, Official Report, column 1867W, about levels of academic qualification reached by recruits joining the Army, Navy and Royal Air Force.
This data for the RAF is now available and is set out in the table below.
The information shows the total number of RAF recruits who hold specific qualifications for 2008. Many recruits will be counted more than once since they have more than one type of qualification.
10 Mar 2009 : Column 234W
Qualification Types for RAF Recruits 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2008
Number
Sec/FE qualification type
Advanced Extension Award
2
Advanced Placement
1
Advanced Subsidiary Vocational Certificate of Education
2
Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education Double Award
4
Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education Single Award
3
Basic Skills
293
BTEC First Certificate
8
BTEC First Diploma
5
BTEC Higher National Certificate
14
BTEC Intermediate
18
BTEC National Certificate
33
BTEC National Diploma
21
Certificate in Management Studies
2
Certificate of Secondary Education
8
Certificate of Sixth Year Studies
3
City & Guilds Level 1
9
City & Guilds Level 2
4
City & Guilds Level 3
2
City & Guilds Level 4
1
Diploma
2
Diploma in Higher Education
2
Diploma in Nursery Nursing
1
Foundation Course
1
Free Standing maths
1
GCE Advanced Level
398
GCE Advanced Level 2
25
GCE Advanced Level (Special Papers)
2
GCE Advanced Subsidiary
225
GCE Advanced Supplementary Level
15
GCE Alternative Ordinary Level
2
GCE Ordinary Level
24
GCSE Double Award
72
GCSE short course.
91
General Certificate of Secondary Education
576
General National Vocational Qualification
2
GNVQ Advanced
2
GNVQ Foundation
1
GNVQ Intermediate
16
Institute of Financial Services CIB Level 3 Certificate
