This is a work-in-progress.
Exit Data Explorer

Qualifications

People with NVQ Level 4+ (or equivalent)

The national vocational qualification (NVQ) is a work-based qualification that recognises the skills and knowledge a person needs to do a job. A Level 4 NVQ is considered equivalent to a Higher Education Certificate or a BTEC qualification, demonstrating a comparable level of knowledge, skills, and competency in a specific field of study. This chart shows the percentage of the working age population (16-64) with a NVQ Level 4 qualification or above.

This data captures the percentage of people who have skills for work at a nationally recognised standard. It is a more diverse representation of education and skills attainment than purely academic or exam-based qualifications alone.

Across all three regions in the North of England, there is a clear upwards trend in attainment of NVQ Level 4+ (or equivalent) qualifications. This is mostly being driven by an increasing rate of young people achieving qualifications through a graduate university route, though there is also some growth being driven by older professionals accessing post-graduate study, particularly through the increased use of the apprenticeship levy to pay for these qualifications.

Yorkshire and The Humber
North West
North East
Date20062008201020122014201620182020Percentage - aged 16-642025303540North East
2004-12-01: 21.9%
North East
2005-12-01: 21.4%
North East
2006-12-01: 22.8%
North East
2007-12-01: 24.3%
North East
2008-12-01: 23.5%
North East
2009-12-01: 24%
North East
2010-12-01: 25.5%
North East
2011-12-01: 26.4%
North East
2012-12-01: 26.8%
North East
2013-12-01: 27.9%
North East
2014-12-01: 28.4%
North East
2015-12-01: 30.7%
North East
2016-12-01: 31.4%
North East
2017-12-01: 31.7%
North East
2018-12-01: 31.1%
North East
2019-12-01: 31.9%
North East
2020-12-01: 34.4%
North East
2021-12-01: 34.5%
North West
2004-12-01: 23.3%
North West
2005-12-01: 24.1%
North West
2006-12-01: 24.9%
North West
2007-12-01: 25.4%
North West
2008-12-01: 25.3%
North West
2009-12-01: 27.1%
North West
2010-12-01: 28.7%
North West
2011-12-01: 28.8%
North West
2012-12-01: 30.2%
North West
2013-12-01: 30.9%
North West
2014-12-01: 30.9%
North West
2015-12-01: 32.6%
North West
2016-12-01: 33.9%
North West
2017-12-01: 34.4%
North West
2018-12-01: 35.5%
North West
2019-12-01: 36.1%
North West
2020-12-01: 38.7%
North West
2021-12-01: 38.6%
Yorkshire and The Humber
2004-12-01: 22.6%
Yorkshire and The Humber
2005-12-01: 22.3%
Yorkshire and The Humber
2006-12-01: 22.8%
Yorkshire and The Humber
2007-12-01: 23.9%
Yorkshire and The Humber
2008-12-01: 24.9%
Yorkshire and The Humber
2009-12-01: 26.5%
Yorkshire and The Humber
2010-12-01: 26.5%
Yorkshire and The Humber
2011-12-01: 27.2%
Yorkshire and The Humber
2012-12-01: 29.4%
Yorkshire and The Humber
2013-12-01: 29.8%
Yorkshire and The Humber
2014-12-01: 29.8%
Yorkshire and The Humber
2015-12-01: 30.6%
Yorkshire and The Humber
2016-12-01: 31.3%
Yorkshire and The Humber
2017-12-01: 33%
Yorkshire and The Humber
2018-12-01: 33.3%
Yorkshire and The Humber
2019-12-01: 34.2%
Yorkshire and The Humber
2020-12-01: 37%
Yorkshire and The Humber
2021-12-01: 38%