To ask the Minister for the Economy, pursuant to AQW 30212/17-22, to detail any engagement he (i) has had; and (ii) plans to have, with (a) the Education Authority; (b) the Department of Education; and (c) individual schools, in order to promote the option of further education colleges to pupils.

While the Department of Education (DE) has statutory responsibility for schools and is the sponsor for the Education Authority (EA), the Department for the Economy (DfE) is the sponsoring department for the Further Education (FE) colleges, therefore each department has a distinct role and remit. My Department is currently working with the DE to develop a more strategic and joined up approach to 14-19 education and training provision.

The “Transition of Young People into Careers (14-19) Project” is undertaking this work on behalf of both Departments and has engaged with a wide range of stakeholders spanning a large number of sectors and organisations. This engagement was crucial in gaining support, identifying key challenges and building an evidence base which will support the development of an enhanced approach to 14-19 education and training.

The project has engaged with a number of Area Learning Communities through the auspices of the EA and has also undertaken a number of school visits. The project facilitated two workshops for school leaders in February 2020 to ensure the key challenges faced by schools in terms of 14-19 education were captured. A number of school leaders have approached the project directly to share their views and are also represented on the project’s Board along with representatives from the FE colleges.

A draft Framework and Action Plan has been developed and the Education Minister and I expect to be in a position to consider the draft Framework shortly.

Also, the FE colleges have developed communication, learner engagement, and recruitment strategies to ensure that stakeholders including young people and parents are better informed about the specialist, diverse, and high quality range of provision delivered by the FE sector.

A specific joint communications campaign, known as “FE for Me” has been developed by the six FE colleges, with the support of my Department, with the aim of building the profile of the FE sector and promoting FE as the first choice for professional and technical education. The campaign highlights the unique offering of the FE sector and the innovative FE products that set it apart from the offerings in the school and university sectors. It also promotes opportunities for school leavers provided by the six regional FE colleges, including full-time and part-time Higher Education courses and higher level apprenticeships.