Education, apprenticeship and employment destinations explained
DfE destination measures group post-school and post-college activity into several headline categories. The main three are education, apprenticeships and employment.
How the mix changes between the two transition points
| Destination | After KS4 | After 16–18 study |
|---|---|---|
| Education | 85.8% | 43.2% |
| Apprenticeship | 3.3% | 7.4% |
| Employment | 2.5% | 28.2% |
| Overall | 91.6% | 78.9% |
DfE Key stage 4 destination measures and 16-18 destination measures — England — state-funded mainstream — 2022/23 leavers followed through 2023/24. The two columns describe different cohorts at different transition points and are not a before-and-after comparison of the same young people.
Employment is naturally much larger at the later transition point, and education much smaller.
Why is apprenticeship only 3.3% after KS4?
This is the share of Key Stage 4 leavers sustaining an apprenticeship. It is not the same denominator as national apprenticeship-start statistics, which include adults and older young people.
What is “no sustained destination”?
It means the records do not show a qualifying destination lasting for the required period. The young person may still have had some activity.
What is “unknown”?
The available administrative records do not identify enough activity to classify a destination. Unknown does not equal NEET.
See provider type, qualification aim and apprenticeship level for each single year of age.
Related explainers
Looking for advice about your own next step?
These pages explain the national system and the public data. For personal next-step guidance, use our Exam Results Explained guides.