In Northern Ireland, the expression ‘lifelong learning’ is often used as an umbrella term for forms of learning which fall outside the school system. However, there is no universally accepted definition of the expression and other terms may also be used. The legal framework ‘refers to further education’, which is education taking place in a non-school context for people over the age of full-time compulsory education (16 years). Details of this provision are described in the chapter on ‘Adult Education and Training’ and associated articles on funding, quality assurance, teachers and management staff working in adult and further education.

The Northern Ireland Executive provides funding for some skills-related lifelong learning activities through financial support for providers, and some grants and bursaries for learners themselves. Some community-based learning opportunities and courses to broaden access to further and higher education are offered by providers, including the higher education sector.

Since May 2016, the Department for the Economy (DfE) has been responsible for employment and skills programmes and further education, while the Department for Communities (DfC) has been responsible for helping individuals find employment. This followed a reorganisation of Northern Ireland Executive departments.

Further Education Means Success is the Northern Ireland strategy for further education. It outlines the vision of a dual role for further education of:

• generating a strong and vibrant community through the development of professional and technical skill
• supporting social inclusion by providing the skills and qualifications needed for individuals to become economically active.

The key objectives outlined in Further Education Means Success, which was published in 2016, are:

• ensuring high quality provision for learner education and training
• developing the skills of individuals already in work and of those looking for employment to meet employers’ needs
• supporting employers to become more competitive and innovative
• encouraging and supporting the economic participation of individuals who face barriers to entering the labour market.

An associated programme for implementation, which outlines the key milestones and associated timescales, was published in March 2016.

Article last reviewed December 2020.