--- title: Employment and the Rising RPA | myhrtoolkit description: Required Participation Age (RPA) has been raised in the UK from 16 to 17 years old. Will young people choose to go to college or remain in school? image: https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/hubfs/Required%20Participation%20Age.jpg --- ** Call us ** Menu ** [0345 225 0414](tel:03452250414) - [Customer Support **](https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/support) - [Login **](https://app.myhrtoolkit.com/user_portal/) [![myhrtoolkit-agilio-logo-colour-800px](https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos%20and%20Brand/myhrtoolkit-agilio-logo-colour-800px.png?width=800&height=82&name=myhrtoolkit-agilio-logo-colour-800px.png "myhrtoolkit-agilio-logo-colour-800px")](http://myhrtoolkit.com) [![myhrtoolkit-agilio-logo-white](https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos%20and%20Brand/myhrtoolkit-agilio-logo-white.png?width=1000&height=103&name=myhrtoolkit-agilio-logo-white.png "myhrtoolkit-agilio-logo-white")](http://myhrtoolkit.com) # Employment and the Rising RPA | myhrtoolkit Published on September 12, 2013 by [Fiona Sanderson](https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/blog/author/fiona-sanderson) **    [Employment](https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/blog/tag/employment) · [HR online](https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/blog/tag/hr-online) · [HR systems](https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/blog/tag/hr-systems) · [myhrtoolkit](https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/blog/tag/myhrtoolkit) · [Recruitment](https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/blog/tag/recruitment) · [Workplace](https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/blog/tag/workplace) ![](https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/hubfs/Required%20Participation%20Age.jpg) The 2013/2014 school year will be the first year that pupils must stay in education until the age of 17 as opposed to 16, in a raising of the Required Participation Age (RPA). In this added year, students aren't necessarily forced to go to school though. A choice is available whether they wish to remain in full time education, enrol in an apprenticeship, or complete part time education if in employment. ### Academic vs vocational options The statistics for 16-18 year olds choosing to undertake academic study are, as [Verity O’Keefe points out](http://www.cipd.co.uk/pm/peoplemanagement/b/weblog/archive/2013/09/09/raising-the-school-leaving-age.aspx), much higher in the UK than many other countries. 69% choose the academic route, while only 31% go for vocational education. O'Keefe believes that, although a lot of young people decide to stay in a school environment, the expanding of the Required Participation Age (RPA) is actually an opportunity for employers to take advantage of a young talent pool. ### Apprenticeships and employment Where in the past, 16 year olds may have chosen to leave education and find a job, giving them the option of taking an apprenticeship may encourage them to take a different route into employment. O'Keefe also suggests that manufacturers are keen to take young people on through vocational training: “Two-thirds of manufacturers we surveyed said they currently offer apprenticeships and three-quarters specifically target the 16 to 18 cohort”. Take a look at the article; there are some interesting points and ideas about how the RPA increase is a good thing for employers in industry. Source: [Raising The School Leavers Age | CIPD](http://www.cipd.co.uk/pm/peoplemanagement/b/weblog/archive/2013/09/09/raising-the-school-leaving-age.aspx) #### Related posts [Employing an apprentice: a guide for employers](https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/blog/the-apprenticeships) [Is a university degree the best way to employment?](https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/blog/university-degree-best-way-employment) Share this: [![](https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/hubfs/social%20share%20icons/linkedin-share-icon.png) ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/blog/employment-and-the-rising-rpa&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin) [![](https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/hubfs/social%20share%20icons/twitter-share-icon.png) ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/blog/employment-and-the-rising-rpa&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter) [![](https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/hubfs/social%20share%20icons/facebook-share-icon.png) ](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/blog/employment-and-the-rising-rpa&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook) ![Picture of Fiona Sanderson](https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/hubfs/HR%20Toolkit%20-%20106.jpg) #### Written by [Fiona Sanderson](https://www.myhrtoolkit.com/blog/author/fiona-sanderson) Fiona is Marketing Manager at myhrtoolkit. Her areas of expertise include HR systems, productivity, employment law updates, and creating HR infographics. 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