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  • Tertiary and post-16 Education Reform

    Topics:
    • Employment and skills programmes (including apprenticeships)
    Information on the Tertiary and post-16 Education Reform including Widening Participation and National Occupational Standards.

    Tertiary Education Reform Division was formed in September 2021 with a focus on ensuring an effective supply of qualifications to meet the needs of employers, the economy and student. The division is part of the Skills and Education Group within the Department for the Economy and is made up of two teams – Higher Education in Further Education and Widening Participation and Vocational Qualifications Reform (responsible for National Occupational Standards).

    More in this topic

    • Higher education widening participation
    • National Occupational Standards
    • Review of Post School Provision for Special Educational Needs Learners
    • Minister's speech - Review of Post-School Education, Skills and Training Provision, and associated legislative protections, for Young People with Special Educational Needs - 16 June 2025

    Related to Tertiary and post-16 Education Reform

    Most recent publications

    • Participation on DfE Training and Education Provision by Disability

      Published 24 October 2025
    • Review of Post School Education, Skills and Training Provision, and the associated legislation protections, for Young People with Special Education Needs – Summary of Findings

      Published 16 June 2025
    See all publications in this topic

    Most recent consultations

    • Level 4 and level 5 and higher education in further education (HE in FE)

      Published 15 December 2022 Consultation closed
    • Principles for Vocational Qualifications in Northern Ireland

      Published 15 December 2022 Consultation closed
    See all consultations in this topic

    Most recent news items

    • Further education colleges ‘the Way to Go’ to get the higher education skills you need

      Published 21 March 2023
    See all news in this topic

    Access to information

    How to request information from the Department for the Economy including Freedom of Information (FOI) and the use of our Publication Scheme.

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