6278.0 - Education and Training Experience, Australia, 1997  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 05/11/1998   
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Education and training important to ACT people - ABS figures


New survey figures published today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that, in the Australian Capital Territory, 93,800 people aged 15 to 64 had completed at least one training course in the 12 month period prior to the conduct of the survey (March to May 1997).

The figures in Education and Training Experience, Australia 1997 present a wide range of information about key aspects of education and training. This survey was partly funded by the Australian National Training Authority and the Department of Employment, Education, Training & Youth Affairs.

Key findings about education in the Australian Capital Territory are that:
  • 57 per cent of men and 55 per cent of women held at least one post-school qualification;
  • 12 per cent started, but did not complete, an educational qualification in the last 5 years;
  • 88 per cent of wage and salary earners undertook some form of training in the 12 month period;
  • "No need" was the most commonly given reason by 38 per cent of those not undertaking study and by 40 per cent of those not undertaking training courses; and,
  • 30 per cent intended to study for an educational qualification in the next three years.

Key findings about training courses completed in the Australian Capital Territory in the 12 months prior to the survey include that:
  • the average time spent on training courses was 20 hours;
  • only 8 per cent incurred a cost to the participant, with the average cost being $453; and,
  • 88 per cent of training courses undertaken while working were considered to have improved job performance.

The Survey also found that 35,500 people in the Australian Capital Territory enrolled to study for a post-school qualification in 1997 (excluding those aged 15 to 20 and still at secondary school). Of these;
  • 30 per cent received financial support for that study from their employer, and 41 per cent received financial support from other sources; and,
  • almost as many students enrolled part-time (13,300) as full-time (15,500).

Of the 12,200 people aged 15 to 20 and still at secondary school in the Australian Capital Territory at the time of the survey:
  • 9 per cent were undertaking TAFE accredited subjects; and,
  • 97 per cent said that they intended to complete their schooling.

Education and Training Experience, Australia 1997 (cat. no. 6278.0) is available from ABS Bookshops. The summary of findings from the publication is available from this site.