NORTHERN Ireland is aiming to lead Europe in vocational education and training, according to Employment and Learning Minister, Dr Stephen Farry.
He was speaking following confirmation that DEL will take part in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) ‘Skills beyond School’ initiative.
The initiative, conducted by the independent OECD, will review post-secondary school vocational education and training (VET) in Northern Ireland as part of its 20 plus country initiative, which also includes England, Scotland, Switzerland, United States and Germany.
Following a meeting with OECD officials, the minister said: “I welcome the team of officials from the independent and widely respected Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development to Northern Ireland as part of its Skills beyond School Initiative.
“The OECD will review postsecondary vocational education and training in Northern Ireland.
“The work will provide a source of independent and outward looking evidence to support the reviews of apprenticeships and youth training that I announced earlier this year.
“It will compare and benchmark post-secondary vocational education and training in Northern Ireland in an international context — providing valuable evidence on best practice and highlighting where lessons can be learnt.
“My ambition is to have a system of vocational education and training that is regarded as a gold-standard across Europe, a system that works for all in society.”
The OECD team recently spent three days in Northern Ireland engaging with key VET stakeholders — employers, the further education sector, training providers, trainees, apprentices and the Education and Training Inspectorate — through site visits and stakeholder workshops.
The OECD will prepare a report for publication in the autumn.