Ryedale: one in 10 workers do not have qualifications

The latest Census figures from the Office for National Statistics show 26,775 people were eligible to work in Ryedale in 2021.

Of them, 2,465 (9.2 per cent) had no qualifications whatsoever.

Meanwhile, 9.8 per cent had at least one GCSE or equivalent qualification, 15.5 per cent had five or more GCSEs at A* to C to levels nine to four, 20.9 per cent had two A-levels or equivalent, and 36.8 per cent had a degree or higher education qualification.

Combining all these figures into a composite score means the Ryedale workforce ranks 11th in Yorkshire and The Humber and 202nd across England and Wales.

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Further Census figures show 3,962 (15.3 per cent) of 25,960 workers in Ryedale were in professional occupations.

Across England and Wales, 5.6 million people (22.2 per cent) worked in a professional occupation.

Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, executive member for education, learning and skills at North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC), explained that across the region individuals with the lowest qualifications are also the least likely to undertake further qualifications.

Cllr Annabel Wilkinson (Image: Newsquest)

'Perfect storm'

In addition to this, she said the problem "may be further exasperated" by the average distance to a further education college in Ryedale being 46 minutes, compared to just 21 minutes for residents of York.

She said this creates a “perfect storm” that will result in a high proportion of individuals settling for low level qualifications rather than engaging in further study, with data suggesting that only around 6 per cent of the 19-64 age population engaging in further study.

Focus on adult learning

On what is being done to address the issue, Cllr Wilkinson said NYCC has “recognised this problem” and focused funding on adult learning to address it.

She said that in 2022 a strategy was implement by North Yorkshire’s Adult Learning Service, which aims to help adults engage in learning that will improve their prospects.

Given this, Cllr Wilkinson said it is hoped that, in addition to more individuals in the county having higher qualifications, more will also be able to do jobs that they enjoy and have an interest in.

For the approach to succeed, Cllr Wilkinson said members of the local community “need to see themselves as learners”.

'Important for people to consider apprenticeships'

Kevin Hollinrake, MP for Thirsk and Malton, said the news that one in 10 workers and jobseekers in Ryedale have no qualifications “shows why it's even more important for people to consider apprenticeships as a route to a long-term career”.

Kevin Hollinrake, MP for Thirsk and Malton (Image: Agency)

“There are a huge number of businesses, right here in Thirsk and Malton, who are looking for people to train up and teach invaluable skills to across all sectors,” he said.

“I'd encourage anyone who's looking for work - of any age - to attend my Engineering Apprenticeships Fair on March 17 (in the Milton Rooms, Malton, from 5pm-7pm).

Mr Hollinrake added: “More broadly, to support more employers and learners to access apprenticeships the Department for Work and Pensions increasing funding for apprenticeships in England to £2.7 billion by the 2024/25 financial year.”