AQW 30212/17-22


Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry


Tabled Date: 24/02/2022
Answered On Date: 04/03/2022
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy what steps he is taking to increase numbers taking courses at further education colleges.


Answer:
There are a range of factors that influence young people’s decisions around learning and it is vital that they, their parents and carers are aware of the range of options, qualifications, pathways and skills available to them to enable them to make informed choices.
Along with work the individual FE colleges have been doing to develop and enhance their learner recruitment and engagement strategies, the six colleges have also collaborated, with my Department’s support, to develop a joint communications campaign, known as “FE for Me”. This communications campaign is part of a wider strategic approach aimed at building the profile of the FE sector and promoting FE as the first choice for professional and technical education. The campaign highlights the unique offering of the FE sector and the innovative FE products that set it apart from the offerings in the school and university sectors. It also promotes the opportunities for school leavers including full-time and part-time Higher Education (HE) courses and higher level apprenticeships that the six regional FE colleges provide.
FE for Me activities include television and radio advertising, social media campaigns, sectoral events with local employers, and case studies which promote the sector amongst stakeholders and in doing so attract learners to the colleges. The campaign also highlights the importance of FE as a contributor to economic development in Northern Ireland and getting people ready for work, thus supporting the 10x Economic Strategy.
My Department is also working with the Department of Education to develop a more strategic and joined up approach to 14-19 education and training provision and a Framework and Action Plan are currently being finalised.  The actions set out in the Framework aim to ensure young people better understand the options and pathways available to them, including the specialist, diverse and high quality provision available through the Further Education (FE) colleges, so that they can achieve their full potential as they move through their individual educational and training journey.
The Department is also currently undertaking a review of Level 4 & 5 Provision and Higher Education in Further Education (HE in FE). The review was initiated for a number of reasons, including declining HE in FE enrolments over recent years. The review is considering a wide range of issues, including pathways into and through HE in FE, and is due to conclude in spring 2022.
The launch of Skill Up provides opportunities for those over 18 years to skill, reskill and upskill with courses available from Level 1 through to Level 7. It is intended that Skill Up courses will increase enrolments at the colleges by providing greater accessibility to lifelong learning via on-line delivery, while also seeking to address skills imbalances in the economy.
Finally, recent and continuing investment by my Department means that the Further Education sector now has a world-class estate with new buildings, such as the recently opened award-winning Erne campus which provide learners with access to industry standard facilities, suitably skilled and experienced lecturers and a clear route into employment, all of which are expected to encourage higher enrolment numbers at FE colleges.