A comparison of earnings related to higher technical and academic education

Abstract

Not much is known about higher technical education in England, but current education policy looks positively at it to improve labour productivity and social mobility. We provide updated estimates of individual earnings differentials associated with such education, compared to achieving degrees, for all secondary school leavers in 2003. We find an early advantage of higher technical education, which erode over time. By age 30, most degree holders earn more. However, for men with higher technical education in STEM, earnings remain significantly above those of many degree holders. For women, such differences were not found.