This article covers vocational qualifications and apprenticeships for young people aged 16-18/19.

The Government is planning to reform the current system of apprenticeships at the same time as introducing a new traineeship programme for young people aged 16-24. Traineeships will be introduced from September 2020. It is intended that they will take two years to complete, be available in a wide range of occupational areas, and lead to a Level 2 award on the Regulated Qualifications Framework. See the article on ‘Teaching and Learning in Vocational Upper Secondary Education’ for further information.

Education in this phase is not compulsory. Young people aged 16-18/19 choose their course and institution depending on their future career and education interests, their previous education record and experience, and on what is available locally.

Types of institutions 

Vocational education for young people over the age of 16 is largely provided by further education (FE) colleges. These major providers of full- and part-time technical and vocational courses for 16- to 18/19-year-olds (and older adults) offer a wide range of programmes, including general (academic) programmes. (For further information on colleges, see the article on 'Main Providers' in the ‘Adult Education’ chapter.)

Colleges or other training providers work alongside employers in providing apprenticeships.

Although school sixth forms focus primarily on general education courses, they may also provide some vocational courses.

Statistics 

There are six regional FE colleges in Northern Ireland, operating across 40 community campuses. In the 2017/18 academic year, of the 129,054 regulated enrolments in FE colleges, over three-fifths (62.6%) related to students aged 19 and under. Source: p.23 of Further Education Activity in Northern Ireland: 2013/14 to 2017/18 Bulletin.  

In the 2018/19 academic year (up to April 2019), out of a total of 4888 apprenticeship starts, 2476 were young people aged 16 to 19. Source: Table 1.1 on p.21 of ApprenticeshipsNI Statistical Bulletin August 2013 to April 2019.

Geographical accessibility 

Under the ‘Entitlement Framework‘, all students aged 16-18/19 – regardless of where they live and which school or further education (FE) college they attend – are entitled to access a broad and balanced curriculum, which must include a minimum number of general and applied / vocational courses. Since September 2017, schools and FE colleges have been required to provide post-16 students with access to a minimum of 21 courses. This is required under The Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2006.

Schools and colleges collaborate as members of an ‘Area Learning Community (ALC)’ to ensure that they can deliver the full range of courses, as few schools are able to deliver the full offer themselves.

The Education Authority (EA) is required to make arrangements to facilitate the attendance of students aged 16-18/19 at grant-aided schools or further education (FE) colleges, and must provide assistance with transport where a student meets the eligibility criteria.

Students aged 16-18/19 are entitled to assistance if there is no suitable school or college within statutory qualifying distance of their home, or if they have been refused a place in all suitable schools / colleges within statutory qualifying distance. This is 3 miles (4.8 kilometres). This is set out under Section 52 of The Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986, as substituted by Section 23 of The Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1997.

Admission requirements and choice of school 

A wide range of study programmes for young people aged 16 to 18/19 aims to cater for students of all abilities. This includes those who are not yet ready for Level 2 qualifications, such as GCSEs, and those with special educational needs and disabilities.

Within this policy framework, admission to a particular programme is a matter for the individual provider, taking into account the applicant’s prior attainment and the demands of the specific study programme.

Requirements for entry to the apprenticeships programme in Northern Ireland include that apprentices must:

• have reached the minimum school leaving age (16 years)
• be employed or about to take up paid employment in Northern Ireland
• be working a minimum of 21 hours per week on a permanent contract
• meet all the entry requirements for their chosen apprenticeship (e.g. some apprenticeships require GCSEs or equivalent qualifications).

Age levels and grouping of pupils / students 

Post-16 vocational programmes usually last two years and so are intended for 16- to 18-year-olds. Teaching groups at this level are normally determined by students’ subject choices, and students are taught by specialist subject teachers, typically in smaller groups than younger pupils. There are no regulations covering class / group sizes for vocational programmes.

Young people aged 16 to 18/19 following apprenticeship programmes usually train in the workplace and part-time in a further education college. They may attend the college or training centre once a week, or in blocks of a few days or weeks. They may have one-to-one support or be taught in small groups by a tutor, teacher, workplace supervisor or manager, or their coach or mentor. This will depend on their chosen apprenticeship, their needs and the needs of their employer.

Organisation of the school year 

Further education colleges are the main providers of vocational education and training at this level, and term dates and holidays are broadly similar to those that apply in schools. This means that the academic year begins in early September and is divided into three terms: autumn term, spring term and summer term. There is usually a long summer break of around nine weeks, with shorter breaks of around two weeks at Christmas and at Easter, and two-day breaks in October and February.

Organisation of the school day and week

Further education colleges enjoy autonomy with respect to the organisation of the teaching day and week. That said, for students aged 16 to 18/19 following full-time post-compulsory vocational programmes, the organisation is broadly the same as that in schools. The typical pattern is for them to be open Monday to Friday between around 9:00 am and 3:30/4:00 pm, with a break for lunch, and possible breaks in the morning and afternoon sessions.

The organisation of the day and week for young people aged 16- to 18/19 on apprenticeship programmes varies depending on the chosen programme and on individual and employer need.

Article last reviewed April 2021.