Further Education Means Business for People, Communities and the Economy in Northern Ireland

Summary:

'Further Education Means Business' is the draft strategy for the further education sector in Northern Ireland, published by the Department for Employment and Learning. You are invited to comment. Consultation will close on Wednesday 30 June 2004. 'Further Education Means Business' is the result of an extensive review of the further education sector in Northern Ireland. It was published by the Minister for Employment and Learning, Rt Hon Jane Kennedy MP, at the Harbinson Lecture on 3 March 2004. The review has been wide ranging in its approach and has considered regional, national and international policies and practice. New research was commissioned to supplement existing information on the work of Northern Ireland?s further education colleges and a number of study visits were undertaken to evaluate best practice in vocational education both at home and abroad. Concurrent with these information gathering exercises, the Department launched a major public consultation, (from November 2002 to January 2003), which sought opinions primarily on the future role of the sector. 'Further Education Means Business' makes proposals for the strategic direction of the statutory further education sector and invites comment. The Department has also published an Executive Summary and will shortly publish an Underlying Evidence Paper. Copies of reports from research exercises are also available for your information. Post consultation The Department intends to publish key agreed points from the consultation and an implementation timetable in the autumn. If adopted the draft strategy will be followed by: - the development of a more detailed Regional Development Plan; - legislation to underpin change; and - potential changes in structure. It will require a two to three year period for implementation. Your responses should be forwarded by Wednesday 30th June 2004 to: Department for Employment and Learning Adelaide House 39-49 Adelaide Street Belfast BT2 8FD Tel: 028 9025 5744 Fax: 028 9025 7773 Date of Publication: 04 Mar 2004 Consultation Period runs until: 30 Jun 2004

Publish Date:

04 March 2004

Availability:

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