Student attitudes towards education and training examined

30 June 2008

Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, today welcomed the findings of research into the attitudes and intentions of school pupils concerning their choices towards education and training.

A particular focus of the research included an examination of the factors which are important to pupils when they make up their minds about applying to higher education. The findings indicated that the proportion of students choosing to study outside Northern Ireland is decreasing with overall migration now much lower than it was a decade ago. The report indicates that student choices are most heavily influenced by their desire to go to the best place for their chosen course, rather than a strong desire to leave Northern Ireland.

Commenting on the findings of the report, the Minister said: “We typically lose around a quarter of our Northern Ireland domiciled students, however this figure is decreasing, and these findings indicate that students, rather than being reluctant leavers, in fact migrate for reasons which are predominantly positive.”

Significantly the report indicates that the vast majority of respondents would prefer to live in Northern Ireland after graduating or return after a few years to settle down if the right opportunity existed.

Sir Reg said: “This research suggests that there is a sizeable pool of graduates outside Northern Ireland who would be willing to return when the right opportunities exist. Drawing attention to these opportunities is the focus of my Department’s ‘C’Mon Over’ campaign, which is supported by major local employers, who are actively seeking to recruit these graduates.”

The report also examines how the availability of financial support influences pupils’ decisions about entering higher education and also examines the key factors that influence pupils’ choices about higher education including the role of peers, parents and careers guidance.

The Minister concluded: “I welcome the findings of this report which will contribute towards the evidence base for the forthcoming review of variable fees and student finance arrangements as well as the development of a regional integrated strategy to widen participation.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The research has been published by the Department for Employment and Learning as part of its Research Agenda.
The research was conducted by Professor Bob Osborne, University of Ulster (028 9036 6159 or rd.osborne@Ulster.ac.uk) and Professor Tony Gallagher, Queen’s University of Belfast (am.gallagher@qub.ac.uk).
The report is available to download from the Department’s website (www.delni.gov.uk/afterschool) on 30^th June 2008.
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