Forging education economic links vital: Gardiner

The further education sector has a major role to play in meeting the skills needs of the Northern Ireland economy, Employment and Learning Minister Barry Gardiner has said.

The Minister’s comments followed a visit to the North West Institute for Further and Higher Education’s main campus on the Strand Road in Londonderry.

Referring to the consultative process launched in 2002 to map the future direction of the further education sector, Mr Gardiner said: "Feedback from this wide-ranging exercise indicated that most stakeholders accepted that further education should deliver three main outcomes.

"Firstly, support for regional economic development by providing the skills necessary for the knowledge-based economy. Secondly, increasing participation and widening access to those previously under-represented in the sector, and thirdly, improving the quality of provision and enhancing standards of performance."

During a tour of the four buildings on the college’s main site, the Minister was briefed on the range of vocational, academic and non-vocational courses offered to some of the 10,000 students who enrol in the college and its satellites every year.

The Minister was welcomed to the Strand Road complex by Seamus Murphy, Director of the North West Institute and met the Chairman of the Board of Governors, Heads of Departments and staff during a tour of the facilities.

The North West Institute of Further and Higher Education is the second largest college of further education in Northern Ireland and is situated on the City side of Londonderry.

(MB/GMCG)