Review of Further Education - FE Means Business
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 |