AQW 39024/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 26/01/2026
Answered On Date: 03/02/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail how he is working with the Minister for the Economy to maximise the capacity of further education colleges, to help deliver the Entitlement Framework, and Essential Skills, for young people.

Answer:

As you are aware, the Department of Education and the Department for the Economy (DfE) jointly published a 14-19 Education and Training Framework which sets out a shared vision and actions to improve the outcomes for young people. To deliver on this commitment there is ongoing collaboration between my officials and officials in DfE. Additionally, they meet formally three times a year through thematic groups relating to careers, post-16 and curriculum and qualifications. The aim of these groups is to drive delivery of actions relevant to the Framework, promote policy awareness and alignment and collaborate on cross-cutting activities.

To ensure that there is a strategic platform to advance shared priorities, collaboration and improve outcomes for young people, I have established a cross-departmental ministerial group with the Minister for the Economy which meets twice a year. The first meeting of the Group took place on 24 November 2025. The next cross-departmental ministerial group meeting is scheduled for June 2026.

There is a wide range of general and applied qualifications available to all learners at Key Stage 4 and Post-16. To support delivery of the Entitlement Framework I have set aside funding of £2.9m in 2025/26. This funding helps to support the cost of collaboration and the operation of Area Learning Communities which bring together schools, Further Education Colleges and Training Providers to discuss curriculum provision in a local area.

To further support all learners to achieve and progress in their chosen pathways, schools have partnership agreements with the Careers Service. This ensures that impartial, professional, accurate and up-to-date advice is offered to learners at Key Stage 4 and post-16 to help them make informed choices with regard to qualifications and pathways.