Department for the Economy publishes Survey of Further Education College Leavers Report

Date published: 12 December 2017

The Department has today published the following research report: Survey of Further Education College Leavers: Academic Year 2015/16.

Department for the Economy publishes Survey of Further Education College Leavers Report
Department for the Economy publishes Survey of Further Education College Leavers Report

This report presents findings from the third 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 leavers of completing and achieving a regulated qualification in the FE sector during the academic year 2015/16.

Key points include:

  • Almost half (47.6%) of FE College leavers were in employment six months after achieving their 2015/16 qualification, up from 39.1% before their course began; conversely, the proportion in learning had fallen from 44.7% to 36.8%.
  • The vast majority (95.1%) of leavers agreed that completing their 2015/16 course has had a positive impact on them, among the main non-economic gains being: ‘boosted confidence’ (84.6% of leavers); ‘made new friends /met new people’ (83.5%); and ‘increased self-esteem’ (69.7%).
  • Over half (51.8%) of the FE College leavers in employment said their 2015/16 qualification is relevant to their current job, while almost a quarter (24.2%) said they could not have obtained/stayed in their employment without completing the course.
  • Among FE College leavers in employment who have been with the same employer since before their 2015/16 course, almost three-fifths (56.9%) said they are better at their jobs, a quarter (25.7%) said they are doing a job with more responsibilities, while 13.2% said they have been promoted - with the majority attributing their progress to the course at least to some extent.
  • Most (86.2%) FE College leavers still in learning had also been in learning before the course they had completed in 2015/16, while over four-fifths (82.6%) are now studying towards a higher level qualification.
  • In line with recent economic trends, the proportion of FE College leavers who classified themselves as unemployed six months after completing their course in 2015/16 (5.5%) was lower than that for the 2013/14 cohort (7.6%).

This report, along with tables (including notes and technical details) and a summary of findings are available to download from the Department’s website: https://www.economy-ni.gov.uk/articles/further-education-research

Notes to editors: 

For media enquiries please contact the Department for the Economy Press Office on 028 9052 9604 or pressoffice@economy-ni.gov.uk. Out of office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07623 974383 and your call will be returned.    Follow the Department of Economy on Twitter @Economy_NI

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