The Department for the Economy publishes Further Education Outcomes Report - August 2026
Date published:
The Department has today published the following research report: Further Education Outcomes: Academic Year 2024/25.
This report presents analysis of the annual 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 2024/25.
KEY POINTS:
Positive Outcome: 90% 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 (57%) of FE College leavers were in employment six months after achieving their qualification. Of those in employment:
- 57% were in a ‘good job’.
- 46% required their FE qualification to be eligible for their job.
- 95% were working in Northern Ireland.
- 25% were 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. Of those in learning:
- 69% required their FE qualification to apply for a place on their current course.
- Over five-sixths (86%) had enrolled on a course at a higher level.
Unemployment: 5% of leavers were unemployed six months after achieving their qualification.
This report (including methodology details), and dashboard are available to view on the Department’s website.
Notes to editors:
- The destinations of those qualifying at Level 4 or above are researched separately, through their participation in HESA’s Graduate Outcomes survey, 15 months after achieving their qualifications.
- The Department for the Economy (DfE) has defined a ‘good job’ as one that offers an employee of working age, that is between the ages of 16 and 64, the following: A permanent contract; and A non zero-hour contract; and Earning the Real Living Wage or more.
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