Colleges Northern Ireland, the representative body for the six FE colleges in Northern Ireland, is closing down, Tes can reveal.
The organisation, which employed five members of staff at the time the decision was made, is to close its doors by the end of the month. The body’s website has already shut down.
Tes understands the move is a consequence of a decision made by the Office for National Statistics to reclassify Colleges Northern Ireland (CNI) as a non-departmental public body. In a letter sent to stakeholders and seen by Tes, CNI chair Frank Bryan writes that “as a direct consequence, members have judged that CNI will no longer be able to effectively deliver against its purpose on behalf of the FE sector and should be closed down”.
‘A key voice in FE’
“Members are now working with stakeholders to review the current CNI functions to see how they can be brought to a close or continued in other organisations,” the letter continues. “The organisation will cease to trade by 30 June 2018.
“Colleges Northern Ireland has been a key voice for the FE sector in advancing and promoting the role of six FE colleges and in providing an interface between the colleges and a wide range of stakeholders, including government, business and industry. This work will continue through the collaborative leadership of the colleges to deliver against the aspirations and goals set out in the draft Programme for Government, DfE’s Industrial Strategy and FE Means Success,” it adds.
‘A united sector’
Last year the Association of Colleges, which represents colleges across England, revealed a series of proposals to avoid a £1 million overspend on its £6 million budget in 2017-18, including job losses and regional restructuring.
David Hughes, AoC chief executive, said: “The Association of Colleges has always had a good working relationship with Colleges Northern Ireland and we are sad to see them close. We will continue to work with colleges in Northern Ireland, and where we can, we will offer access to relevant AoC training and support, to allow them to continue to offer the best possible services for students and staff.”
He added: “Ours is a sector united. Although there are devolved policy differences, AoC works closely with counterparts in the four nations sharing resource and best practice, and using our collective voice to promote institutions responsible for the education and training of more than 2.2 million people each year.”
