Glossary

FE (Further Education)

Further Education (FE) in Northern Ireland refers to education and training provided after compulsory schooling, offering a wide range of academic, vocational, technical and professional learning opportunities for young people and adults. FE colleges play a key role in supporting skills development, employability, lifelong learning and economic growth by working with learners, employers and communities across Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland's six regional FE colleges are:
• Belfast Metropolitan College (Belfast Met)
• Northern Regional College
• North West Regional College
• South Eastern Regional College (SERC)
• Southern Regional College (SRC)
• South West College (SWC)

Together, these colleges deliver education and training across a broad range of subject areas and qualification levels, helping learners progress to employment, apprenticeships or higher-level study.

HE in FE (Higher Education in Further Education)

Higher Education in Further Education (HE in FE) refers to higher-level qualifications delivered by Northern Ireland's Further Education colleges. These courses provide opportunities for learners to study at Levels 4, 5 and, in some cases, Level 6, offering flexible pathways into skilled employment or further study.

HE in FE plays an important role in widening access to higher-level learning by providing local, affordable and career-focused provision. Courses are often developed in partnership with universities and employers to ensure that they meet the needs of learners, businesses and the wider economy.

The Department commenced a review of Level 4 and 5 provision and HE in FE in November 2020 in response to forecast skills shortages at these qualification levels and declining enrolments in HE in FE. The review aims to help ensure that provision better meets the needs of learners and the Northern Ireland economy.

Level 4 and 5

Qualifications at an intermediate higher education level, sitting above A Levels and Level 3 qualifications and below an Honours Degree. These qualifications help learners develop higher-level knowledge, technical skills and professional expertise in subjects linked to industry and employment opportunities.

In Northern Ireland, many Level 4 and 5 qualifications are delivered through Further Education colleges, often in partnership with universities and employers. They provide flexible pathways into skilled employment, apprenticeships and further higher education study, including progression to degree-level qualifications.

Skills Barometer

The Skills Barometer is Northern Ireland's principal skills forecasting and labour market intelligence tool. Developed by the Department for the Economy, it provides evidence on the skills and qualifications that will be needed across different sectors of the economy, both now and in the future.

Using data on employment trends, economic growth and workforce demand, the Skills Barometer helps identify areas where there may be skills shortages or increased demand for particular occupations and qualifications. This information supports decisions on education and training provision, helping to ensure that learning opportunities are aligned with the needs of learners, employers and the wider economy.

Curriculum Framework

The Curriculum Framework is being developed through the FE Fit for the Future programme to support a more strategic and consistent approach to curriculum planning across Northern Ireland's Further Education sector.

It will help ensure that the courses and qualifications offered by colleges are aligned with learner aspirations, employer requirements, regional priorities and future skills needs, while supporting progression into employment, apprenticeships and higher-level study.

Performance Framework

The Performance Framework is a key component of the FE Fit for the Future programme. It will provide a shared approach to measuring success across the Further Education sector, using a range of indicators to assess learner outcomes, progression, quality and impact.

The framework is intended to support continuous improvement, strengthen accountability and ensure that college activity is aligned with programme objectives and the needs of learners, employers and the economy.

Learner Voice

Learner Voice is a central principle of the FE Fit for the Future programme, reflecting the Minister's commitment to placing learners at the heart of Further Education reform.

It encompasses the views, experiences and feedback of learners and ensures that their perspectives help shape policy, curriculum development, service delivery and future improvements across the sector. Through learner engagement activities, FE Fit for the Future aims to ensure that reforms deliver meaningful benefits for those who use Further Education services.