This section explores the education, training and qualifications available within the county. This good grounding is reflected in the performance of pupils at GCSE stage. 1998 Performance at GCSE Cornwall is amongst the best performing local education authorities in England for GCSE examination results. This is reflected in both the percentage of pupils achieving 5 or more GCSEs at grades A to C and in the percentage of the working population having such qualifications. The staying on rate is higher than that of Devon and the figures also show marked differences between males and females.
More males are unemployed than females.
Retail and hotel and catering sectors have a more equal distribution. The following tables set out the results at each level. The availability of employment, a decent wage and higher education in the county are of concern to young adults. The 'No Future in Cornwall 1998' survey suggests that over half of young people aged 18 did not expect to be living in Cornwall in the next five years. Many felt they could not make a life for themselves in the county and amongst those who were expecting to move, a quarter would move for employment purposes.