Review of Further Education - FE Means Business

Employment and Learning Minister Sir Reg Empey and Chief Executive of ANIC, John D'Arcy unveil a map of the new layout for Northern Ireland's FE sector.Northern Ireland's 16 Further Education (FE) colleges have now merged into six larger area-based colleges on 1st August 2007.

Minister for Employment and Learning, Sir Reg Empey said: "The introduction of six "super" colleges is excellent news for Northern Ireland's education sector and will have a significant impact for learners, the community and local businesses.Working with their economic and educational partners, the new colleges will be at the forefront of ensuring that Northern Ireland has the necessary skills to compete in a modern, knowledge based, global economy."

The newly merged colleges and their respective groupings are listed in the table below

Existing Colleges Newly Merged Colleges Approved Name
Armagh
Newry and Kilkeel
Upper Bann
Southern Regional College
Chair - Brian Rowntree
Acting Director - Paul Little
North West
Limavady
North West Regional College
Chair - Eamon Beattie
Director designate - Seamus Murphy
East Tyrone
Fermanagh
Omagh
South West College
Chair - Pat O'Kane
Director designate - Victor Refausse
East Antrim
North East
Causeway
Northern Regional College
Chair - TBC
Director designate - Trevor Neilands
Belfast
Castlereagh
Belfast Metropolitan College
Chair - James O'Kane
Director designate - Brian Turtle
East Down
Lisburn
North Down & Ards
South Eastern Regional College
Chair - Brian Acheson
Acting Director - Tom Place