THE north's six regional further education colleges are uniting behind a unique vocational learning system aimed at helping build tomorrow's skilled workforce and also stem the brain drain of students leaving and not returning.
Backed by the Department for the Economy, the Advanced Technical Award and traineeships scheme will help school leavers acquire new professional and technical skills in a range of vocational sectors.
It coincides with the launch today of 'FE for Me', a sustained campaign by Further Education NI (the collective body for the six regional colleges) about further education becoming a first choice in education for more learners.
The awards in a disciplines such as IT, health and social care, applied science, construction, engineering and business & finance will address the growing skills gap and provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills for entering the world of work, as well as opportunities to progress to further study.
College Principals’ Group chair Ken Webb said: “We're excited to launch these two new awards at a time of enormous change in both our economy and wider society.
“Now more than ever, people are assessing their options and looking for careers that work for them and that offer long-term opportunities and the chance to progress.
“Thousands of our young people are currently studying in Great Britain rather than locally. This brain drain impacts our economy significantly because many of those people do not return home, leaving a growing skills gap here that employers are finding difficult to fill.
“We want young people locally to understand that there are many more routes to promising careers in areas like accountancy, healthcare, engineering and IT.”
John Harkin, founder and chief executive of Alchemy Technology Services said: “Industry relies on local FE colleges for that steady pipeline of skilled people entering the Northern Ireland workforce.
“Colleges have an advantage in that they can respond quickly to shifting demands and our ongoing relationship with them means they understand exactly what we need. Their courses are designed with industry in mind.
“It's hugely reassuring to see that the colleges are determined to play an integral role in growing a skilled workforce in Northern Ireland and responding to changes in industry after a turbulent 18 months.”
Former North West Regional College student Katie Durey said: “Going to college was the best decision I ever made. When I was planning for my future after school, I was quite unsure as to what path I wanted to take and felt that university was not the right place for me at that stage.
“Doing my Extended Diploma Level 3 opened my eyes to what was possible. I studied health sciences and now have an offer to study paramedic science at university. The skills I gained at North West, as well as the confidence it has given me in choosing the right career path, are priceless.”
