Views sought on widening participation in Higher Education

Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, today launched a consultation on promoting participation in higher education by students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Speaking at a pre-consultation seminar in the Tullyglass House Hotel, Ballymena, Sir Reg said: “Any suitably qualified individual in Northern Ireland should be able to benefit from higher education that is right for them, irrespective of their personal or social background.”

The Minister continued: “Too many people still experience disadvantage and exclusion. To succeed in a globally competitive economy, Northern Ireland must seek to increase the skills of its workforce and, in particular, increase the proportion of its workforce with higher and intermediate level skills. Therefore, it is vital to our economy that we do everything in our power to harness the talents and develop the potential of all our people.”

The seminar was the latest stage in the development of a Northern Ireland Regional Strategy for Widening Participation in Higher Education and was attended by employers, Sector Skills Councils, community development and disabled representative groups, learning providers and providers of advice and guidance.

The Department is keen to hear the views of all interested parties on ways to widen participation in higher education. To make your views known please contact the Widening Participation team on 028 9025 7745.

Notes to editors:

1. The Department for Employment and Learning is leading the development of the Regional Strategy. The development of this Strategy represents the first inter-institutional and Governmental attempt to address this issue and the Department is being supported in this by key stakeholders including:

• Government Departments;
• Universities;
• Further Education Colleges; and
• NUS-USI

2. A photograph from the event can be viewed on the Department's website

3. All media enquiries should be directed to the Department for Employment and Learning Communications Branch, on 028 9025 7872. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.