To ask the Minister for the Economy what incentives her Department is considering to encourage students. without offers from Northern Ireland universities, to consider study at a further education college, rather than travelling elsewhere.

Individual Further Education (FE) colleges promote Higher Education (HE) curriculum through a number of channels including websites, prospectuses and social media. Colleges also use their own local media outlets to promote specific programmes as well as engaging with local schools and careers officers.

On 2 June 2021, the six FE colleges, supported by DfE, launched the ‘FE for Me’ collaborative marketing campaign, the purpose of which is to promote the benefits of undertaking a programme of study at a local FE college.

This campaign promotes opportunities for school leavers including full-time and part-time HE and higher level apprenticeships within the six regional FE colleges.

FE colleges are also working with Queens University Belfast and Ulster University on the creation of a microsite to promote college HE options should any applicant be unsuccessful in August. The microsite will be operational by 11 June and shared with local schools and careers officers to ensure that parents and young people are made aware of options to undertake Foundation degree, HND and other higher level education programmes.

Additional work is also being progressed with the Universities to explore how Colleges and University Admission teams can work together on A level results day, 10 August, to ensure that student enquiries are directed to relevant personnel within colleges who can offer advice and guidance on college HE options.

A new website has been created for the six regional colleges (www.furthereducationni.com) to coalesce sectoral activity and signpost prospective learner to their local College website.

My Department’s Careers Service is available to provide impartial advice and guidance to all pupils making post 16 and post 18 decisions. Careers Advisers offer personalised support outlining all the suitable options including HE courses available within FE colleges.