What will this mean for you?

Students, Parents/Guardians

  • all of the existing 47 campuses will remain open
  • better use of college resources to improve the services for students
  • greater choice of courses

Business Community

  • Six larger colleges with multi million pound budgets, high quality staff and leading edge facilities will enable the FE sector to become a driving force for economic development.
  • The larger colleges will have the capacity and resources to respond to the changing needs of business and industry throughout Northern Ireland.
  • They will deliver a revised curriculum which will be more clearly related to economic and workforce needs.
  • They will provide greater support to employers in the areas of business creation, incubation and product development.
  • They will raise the skills of the whole workforce, helping increase productivity and competitiveness, which will secure Northern Ireland’s place in the global marketplace.

FE Sector Staff

  • There will be some immediate rationalisation at senior levels in colleges for example, the number of Principals will reduce from 16 to 6.
  • The new colleges are currently developing the detail of their new structures, and it is too early to say what the precise impact will be.
  • However, larger colleges will also provide opportunities for staff, for example in terms of staff development, provision of a wider curriculum offering, quality enhancement, etc.

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