Further education

The six further education (FE) colleges in Northern Ireland are arms-length bodies of the Department for the Economy and have a key role in delivering a range of academic, professional and technical education and training across Northern Ireland.

Over the past ten years, the Department for the Economy, through the Further Education Capital Projects Team, has worked closely with colleges to deliver £192m of capital developments across the sector.

The Department for the Economy is responsible for setting the minimum qualification requirements to teach in the further education sector in Northern Ireland.

The Department for the Economy (DfE) is responsible for the policy, strategic development and financing of the statutory further education sector.

These statistical releases are produced by the department using data collected from the further education (FE) colleges in Northern Ireland.

The department commissions research projects to inform the implementation of its policies, programs and initiatives in regards to further education (FE).

Skills Initiatives Branch oversees a variety of skills interventions delivered throughout Northern Ireland, to deliver the Minister’s Economic Vision.

Northern Irish competitors have been selected for the WorldSkills UK National Finals 2025, which will take place in South Wales from 25 to 28 November.

Seven local students have been selected to take part in EuroSkills as part of Team UK