Record number of NI students set to compete at ‘WorldSkills’ UK Finals

A record number of further education students have been selected to take part in the WorldSkills UK finals in November. Sixty-three students from Northern Ireland’s Further Education Colleges will travel to   regional venues across the UK to compete in a wide range of competitions including automation, mechatronics, beauty therapy, robotics, construction skills and culinary arts. Southern Regional College has the …

Further Education Colleges to cycle 400 miles for Air Ambulance NI

Staff from Northern Ireland’s six Further Education Colleges are to cycle 400 miles to raise funds for Air Ambulance NI. The ‘Further Education 400’ team will cycle in two relays on Friday 17 June, leaving Belfast in clockwise and anti-clockwise directions passing through 27 college campuses to cross the finish line in Enniskillen. Each of the six colleges have put …

New Skills Strategy for Northern Ireland is launched by Minister Lyons

Investing in the skills and talent of our workforce will help unlock economic prosperity for everyone in our society, Economy Minister Gordon Lyons said today. The Minister was speaking at Belfast Met’s Titanic Quarter campus as he launched ‘Skills for a 10X Economy’, the Department for the Economy’s strategy to support more people to improve their job prospects and fulfil …

Apprenticeships are key to tacking skills shortage say Northern Ireland’s Further Education leaders

To mark the third annual Apprenticeship week, Northern Ireland’s six Further Education Colleges are highlighting the importance of apprenticeships to address the skills shortage. In a week-long celebration, in partnership with the Department for the Economy, Colleges throughout Northern Ireland will be highlighting how apprenticeships are the first step to gaining vital knowledge and skills that are needed to further …

Further Education Colleges join skills revolution as Northern Ireland receives world class skills boost

Northern Ireland is to get a world-class skills boost thanks to a revolutionary scheme aimed at attracting inward investment and generating economic growth. The Centre of Excellence from WorldSkills UK, in association with NCFE, is the brainchild of Belfast-born Dr Neil Bentley-Gockmann OBE, a former Deputy Director General of the CBI. Unique insights and expertise, gathered during decades of competing …

Further Education Colleges getting the jab done as doors open to Jabbathon

Mobile vaccination centres are to begin vaccinating students as they are set up across the six Further Education Colleges in a further push to encourage young people to get protected against Covid-19. Working in partnership with the Public Health Agency and local health trusts, College leaders are encouraging those students who have yet to receive the vaccine to do so …

Further Education Colleges call on school leavers to consider alternative routes to higher education

Northern Ireland’s six regional Further Education Colleges are encouraging school leavers to consider alternative routes to Higher Education and university during A-level and GCSE results week. Across the Colleges, hundreds of opportunities are open to learners seeking Higher Level options including Foundation degrees, Higher Level Apprenticeships and HNDs in subjects such as Accountancy, Business Studies, Health and Life Sciences and …

Economy Minister meets with Further Education students to discuss alternative routes to higher education

Economy Minister, Gordon Lyons MLA, has met with Further Education Students at North West Regional College to discuss alternative routes to higher education. Across the Colleges, hundreds of opportunities are open to learners seeking Higher Level options including Foundation degrees, Higher Level Apprenticeships and HNDs in subjects such as Accountancy, Business Studies, Health and Life Sciences and Hospitality. Recently, with …

Leaders and Learners – Belfast Metropolitan College

Next in our series ‘Leaders and Learners’ we meet Mary who attended Belfast Met and has gone onto launch her own successful business Sioda Lingerie. Mary tells us that the foundations of her business were formed through the vital skills and support she had at college. #FEforMe