Careers South West Ltd produces an annual 'Destinations' report, which provides accurate information based on young people who completed year 11 in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Plymouth and Torbay.

Findings from the latest report show that continuing in full-time education is more popular than ever across the whole of the peninsula.  Each Local Authority area saw an increase in the number of year 11's choosing to stay in full-time education with 86.7% of young people choosing to stay on in 2010 compared to 85.8% in 2009. This figure has risen consistently since 2000.

As in previous years more girls than boys remained in education but the percentage staying on compared with 2009 rose for both genders.

Chief executive of Careers South West, Jenny Rudge said "Despite it being very turbulent times for young people, those completing year 11 have reacted positively to the situation.  It remains that the more qualifications and the more skills they have the better their chances when they enter the labour market and this is shown in this survey."

The numbers entering apprenticeships after Year 11 have remained relatively stable over the last three years.  It is still the case that more males choose apprenticeships than females, however this may be because there are more apprenticeships in sectors that traditionally have a large male workforce suggesting more still needs to be done to challenge gender stereotyping in the workplace.

Whilst unemployment figures have increased dramatically for the UK, the NEET (not in education, employment or training) figure for the region has remained relatively stable and in some areas has fallen.

A full breakdown of the 'Destinations 2010' report is available on the Careers South West Ltd website under media centre / publications www.careerssw.org