Department for the Economy publishes Further Education Outcomes Report

The Department for the Economy has today published the following research report: Further Education Outcomes: Academic Year 2022/23.

Statistics: Further Education Outcomes

This report presents analysis of the tenth annual Northern Ireland Survey of Further Education (FE) College Leavers. Undertaken approximately six months after course completion it provides a snapshot of the immediate added value to FE college leavers of completing and achieving a regulated qualification at Level 3 or below in the FE sector during the academic year 2022/23.

Key points:

• Positive Outcome: 87% of FE college leavers reported a positive outcome i.e. they were either in employment, further study, or both, within six months of achieving their qualification.
   
• Employment: Over half (55%) of FE college leavers were in employment six months after achieving their qualification.
  • 38% required their FE qualification to be eligible for their job.
  • 95% were working in Northern Ireland.
  • 33% employed in priority sectors of the NI economy.
• Learning: 33% of FE college leavers were re-enrolled in education six months after achieving their qualification.
  • 76% required their FE qualification to apply for a place on their current course.
  • Over four-fifths (85%) had enrolled on a course at a higher level.
• Unemployment: 6% of leavers were unemployed six months after achieving their qualification.

This report (including methodology details), along with dashboard and infographic are available to view on the Department’s website.

Notes to editors: 

1. The destinations of those qualifying at Level 4 or above are researched separately, through their participation in the Higher Education Statistics Agency's Graduate Outcomes survey, 15 months after achieving their qualifications.

2. To keep up to date with news from the Department for the Economy you can follow us on the following social media channels:

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3. For media enquiries contact the Department for the Economy Press Office at pressoffice@economy-ni.gov.uk  

4. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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