News, Publications and Resources

Latest News: Programme Launch

FE Fit for the Future Launches

On 14 April 2026, the Minister for the Economy launched FE Fit for the Future, a new programme designed to ensure Northern Ireland's Further Education colleges are equipped to meet the needs of learners, employers and the economy over the decade ahead. FE Fit for the Future will work collaboratively with colleges, learners, staff, employers and wider stakeholders to shape the future of Further Education.

FE Fit for the Future will focus on four key areas:

• Curriculum and skills development
• Performance and accountability
• Funding reform
• College collaboration and empowerment

At the heart of FE Fit for the Future is a commitment to putting learners first, ensuring that Further Education continues to provide high-quality opportunities that support personal success, economic growth and social inclusion.

 

Latest Updates

This section will provide regular updates on programme activity, including:

• Steering Group meetings

• Curricular Framework Advisory Group activity

• Research and evidence publications

• Stakeholder engagement events

• Consultation activity

• Major programme milestones

Examples of future updates might include:

• Publication of Steering Group meeting summaries

• Establishment of Task and Finish Groups

• Publication of research findings

• New programme publications

Programme Governance

The FE Fit for the Future Programme is supported by a governance structure designed to provide strategic oversight, challenge and stakeholder engagement.

Available Documents

• Steering Group Terms of Reference 

• Curriculum Framework Advisory Group Terms of Reference 

Task and Finish Groups

Task and Finish Groups have been established to support development of the FE Curriculum Framework. These groups bring together Further Education practitioners, policy specialists and subject experts to develop recommendations across curriculum levels and specialist areas.

Further information on their work will be published as it becomes available.

Publications

This section will provide access to key programme publications, including:

• Research reports

• Consultation documents

• Newsletters

• Progress reports

• Final programme recommendations

Research and Evidence

FE Fit for the Future is informed by a strong evidence base, including labour market intelligence, skills forecasting, programme research and official statistics.

Current research activity includes:

Research into Learner Recruitment, Retention and Progression

The Department has commissioned Stranmillis University College to undertake research examining learner recruitment, retention and progression across Northern Ireland's Further Education sector.

The research will complete in March 2027 and will help inform future policy development and programme delivery.

Future research reports and evidence papers will be published here as they become available.

Resources

Skills Barometer Northern Ireland's principal skills forecasting tool, providing evidence on future skills demand and qualification requirements.

Skills and Employment Research A central repository of Department for the Economy research covering skills demand and supply, labour market participation, employer skills needs, job quality, qualifications and workforce trends in Northern Ireland.

Labour Market Information Economic and labour market statistics used to support policy development and workforce planning.

Employer Skills Surveys Research examining employer recruitment challenges, skills shortages and workforce development needs.

Further Education Research Research commissioned by the Department to support policy development, programme design and improvement across the Further Education sector.

Further Education Statistics Official statistics on learner enrolments, participation, achievement, success rates, qualification levels and other measures across Northern Ireland's FE colleges.

NISRA (Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency) Official statistics and population data supporting evidence-based policy development.

NI Direct – Skills in Demand Information on sectors experiencing skills demand and future employment opportunities.