CASH is luring Yorkshire's young people out of the classroom, says new research.
Money is the key reason driving young people to drop out of education and training according to the study by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC).
It says in a study of Yorkshire adults who dropped out of education or training at 16, 52% did so because they wanted to earn money, while 29% did so because they felt they simply couldn't afford to stay on.
31% were fed up with school, and 22% said they couldn't stay on because their parents wouldn't support them remaining in further education or training.
More than a quarter (26 %) of adults in England who dropped out at 16 believe they would now be in a more fulfilling job had they completed further education or training, while 34% also believe that they would now be earning a higher salary.
The research findings are backed up by official figures demonstrating that those with further education qualifications, such as GNVQs and A-Levels, add over £4,000 a year to their salaries compared to those with few or no GCSEs.
Ruth Bullen, Deputy Director of Young People's Learning at the LSC said that she hoped the findings would encourage young people to remain in education and not fall into the trap of their predecessors.
She said: "For many young people dropping out of education to earn even a small amount of money can be tempting, but those without the minimum level of qualifications - such as five good GCSEs are more likely to be unemployed in the long run and will earn £4,000 less a year in the future"
