NI colleges face ‘challenge to manage financial viability’

In the NIAO report, the auditor general highlighted the important role the colleges had but also the financial challenges they face.

“The FE colleges continue to face financial challenges and in 2022-23 all six further education colleges again reported deficits,” Ms Carville said.

“However the continuing challenge to manage their financial viability means that they may not be able to do everything that they have done in the past and there is a need for clarity as to which aspects of their provision they should prioritise.”

A recent review of Northern Ireland’s entire education system said FE Colleges played “an enormously important role” in growing the economy and promoting social inclusion.

“FE is the sector most immediately linked to the needs of the employer and the economy,” the review said.

“Colleges have vital responsibilities in ensuring that Northern Ireland has the mix of skills that it needs to prosper.”

But it also said that colleges were facing competition from school sixth forms and universities and “a weak culture of lifelong learning among adults”.

The Education Minister Paul Givan recently announced plans to make it compulsory for young people to stay in education or training until they are 18.