Further Education: Fit for the Future

Background

The six further education (FE) colleges are arms-length bodies of the Department for the Economy and deliver a wide range of academic, professional and technical education and training across the 29 campuses located across Northern Ireland. 

The colleges have a key role in delivering on the Minister’s four priorities:

• To increase the proportion of working-age people in Good Jobs so that working families enjoy a decent standard of living;
• To raise Productivity, which is the fundamental driver of economic growth and overall living standards
• To promote Regional Balance, ensuring that everyone shares in the benefits of prosperity
• To reduce Carbon Emissions, in order to safeguard the planet for future generations.

Role of colleges

Further Education is central to our economic and social wellbeing.

Our six Colleges deliver academic, professional and technical education and training from 29 campuses across the North. 

Colleges provide accessible opportunities for learners at every stage – from entry level and access provision through to higher education – supporting people to gain qualifications, build confidence and progress into good jobs.

They are also vital anchors in their communities, promoting inclusion, widening participation, and offering routes back into learning and employment for those who face barriers to the labour market.

Colleges help businesses get the skills they need, working with trade unions and employers to deliver reskilling and upskilling programmes. 

Why are we launching Further Education, Fit for the Future?

Colleges are part of a skills eco-system which is constantly changing, for example with new technologies such as AI, more online and digital learning, more students with Special Educational Needs, and the rise of the green economy.

Alongside this, we face a profound demographic challenge. 

Over the coming years, the number of young people in the 16–19 age group will fall sharply. 

At the same time, at 18.7%, adult participation in learning here remains comparatively lower than other regions.   If we are to deliver greater economic prosperity, inclusion and productivity, we need to increase that proportion.  Further Education colleges are central to achieving that ambition.

A core purpose of this programme is therefore to increase learner numbers in Further Education, particularly by attracting more adults and under‑represented groups back into learning.

To respond to these challenges, we must ensure that our Further Education system is structured, funded and focused in a way that delivers real impact for learners, employers and the wider economy. 

What is FE – Fit For The Future?

Accordingly, the Minister has approved a Further Education: Fit for the Future Programme which the Department will lead with colleges to:

Create a Further Education sector fit for the future, for people, 
for communities and for economic prosperity. 

The Programme will deliver four clear and connected outcomes:

• Ensuring alignment between Further Education curriculum and economic skills needs

Colleges must be able to respond more quickly and consistently to what the economy needs. 

We will develop a sector‑wide curriculum framework, aligned to the Skills Barometer and regional economic priorities, ensuring that learners across the North can access high‑value courses regardless of location. 

This will strengthen progression routes into priority sectors and support inward investment as well as indigenous business growth.

• Increasing learner numbers
  This programme will grow student numbers by expanding access, attracting more adult learners back into education, and aligning provision with employment and progression opportunities. 

It responds to proposed changes in the wider education landscape, including the move towards all young people remaining in education or training to age 18. 

Further Education must be an attractive, flexible and credible choice within that system.

• Maximising value for money
  Given the significant pressures on public finances, it is essential that funding is used as effectively as possible. 

We will introduce a new funding approach, aligned to a strengthened performance framework. 

This will provide clearer lines of accountability, incentivise good performance, and ensure that funding decisions support outcomes for learners and employers rather than unnecessary bureaucracy.

• Improving learner performance and experience
  This programme is about raising ambitions for learners and their experience. 

A new performance framework will focus on outcomes that matter -participation, retention, achievement and progression.

Alongside this, a College Collaboration and Empowerment Programme will create a shared vision, supporting colleges to work more closely together, removing barriers and make better use of digital technology creating a more engaging learner journey.

How can I get involved?

The Department is now commencing a programme of engagements with colleges,  staff and learners right across the North. Co‑design will be at the heart of this programme and we want to ensure the views of all those involved in further education help to shape its future.

If you work in a college:

College staff – particularly those working directly with learners – are best placed to shape how Further Education must evolve, and their insights will be central to shaping a Further Education sector fit for the future. 

The Department is currently engaging with senior management in colleges and trade unions to consider how best we can fully involve college staff and listen to their ideas on how the sector should evolve to meet the changing demands of learners and of employers. 

If you are a learner in a college:

We want to make sure that you enjoy your time in further education and that it helps you to achieve your ambitions and delivers the outcomes you want. We want to hear from learners on what their experience was of FE – what was good and how it can be improved.  We will be working with colleges and with student representatives over the next few weeks to ensure the Learner Voice is captured and reflected in this work.

As we finalise arrangements for engagement, we will continue to update this webpage to let you know how the Programme is progressing and how you can get involved.

This work is expected to take around 18 months.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Why are we reshaping the Further Education sector?

FE colleges operate in a rapidly changing environment and need to be able to adapt to meet the evolving needs of learners and of the economy.   In a changing economic and educational landscape, we need to ensure that they offer an attractive and rewarding pathway for learners to gain the vocational skills they need to progress into employment and to improve their outcomes. 

In addition, to be able to attract inward investment and support local companies to grow, we need to be sure colleges are providing the skills which industry needs and the structures we are putting in place will ensure colleges will have the agility to evolve to meet the changing needs of the economy.  Given the pressures on public resources, it is also important that we ensure colleges are providing value for money for public funding.

Colleges face a range of challenges at present:

• A continuing skills gap at Levels 3 (A Level equivalent) and above, alongside a persistently high level of economic inactivity;
• Demographic changes over the next few years will see a rapid fall in the number of learners in the 16-19 age group;
• Challenges in attracting adult learners;
• Ongoing cost pressures.

In addition, the programme will take account of changes in the wider educational landscape.

How will college staff be involved in this work?

College staff and particularly those working directly with learners are best placed to consider how we can build on the excellent work already taking place in colleges to ensure that all learners can achieve their full potential.  We are currently engaging with each College’s senior management on how we can best involve staff at all levels in shaping further education for the 2030’s and beyond.  Through this section of the DfE website and through communication with colleges we will ensure that staff are kept up to date on progress and are made aware of how they can contribute.

Our first round of engagement with FE Colleges will be an in-depth discussion with the representatives of the college Governing Bodies and senior leadership teams of each college at their respective campuses.  This engagement starts this week and is scheduled to run for the next two- three weeks. 

As part of our engagement approach, we are looking at the possibility of organising wider engagement events in each college to explain what FE Fit for the Future is seeking to deliver and to take the views of staff on how this is delivered. 

How will the views of learners be taken into account?

 We want to hear from people who are currently taking courses in FE colleges or those who have recently completed their courses.  We want to know what worked well for you and what we can improve?  We are currently working with colleges and will be engaging with student representatives to ensure learners’ views are taken into account.

Is this just a cost-cutting exercise?

While resources are limited, this programme is primarily about ensuring that we use our resources as effectively as possible to deliver better outcomes for learners, for employers and for broader society. 

How will the changes affect anyone who is currently enrolled on an FE Course?

For existing learners, there will be no change to their learning experience. They will continue to have access to the world class lecturers and facilities which colleges have to offer in order to achieve their goals.  This programme is about shaping Further Education for the future.

Over the 30 years since Colleges were set up as incorporated bodies, there have been many changes to how we live, work and learn and we need to ensure that colleges adapt their delivery to take account of those changes.  This is an opportunity to re-vision the role of further education to ensure that it continues to provide learners with the skills they need in a way which best suits their individual circumstances. 

So whether you are someone who is returning to education to improve your employment prospects or a young person who is considering their future career, we want to ensure that Further Education will provide you with an educational and career pathway that is tailored to your needs and aspirations.   

How will the needs of learners with Special Educational Needs (SEN) be taken into account?

Many of our learners currently need additional support. We want to make sure that Further Education offers all learners the help and support they need to meet their needs and to achieve their best outcomes. 

Our Minister has been clear in setting out her ambitions for supporting SEN learners to experience a seamless transition from school to college and to ensure any additional support arrangements are put in place as quickly as possible.  If you, or someone you know is attending an FE College and has special educational needs we would be keen to hear from you and we will work with colleges to make any necessary arrangements for you to have your voice heard.