Virtual Women's Further Education College

The setting up of a Virtual Women's Further Education College was the subject of an extensive Feasibility Study done by BDO Stoy Hayward for the Further Education Division of the Department of Education and Learning Northern Ireland (DELNI) in 2008. This arose from a meeting of representatives from organisations engaged in women’s training and education with the then DELNI Minister in 2006 to discuss sustaining community-based work in a virtual way. A proposal was put to the Minister for a Virtual Women’s College. This was the context for the feasibility study.

The following material is taken from the Final Report at http://www.delni.gov.uk/virtual_womans_fe_college-final_report_-_25_07_08.pdf

The Assignment

1. Determine the specific education and training needs of women in Northern Ireland, with particular regard to developing their role in the local economy.
2. Identify the extent to which the needs of female learners are being addressed by mainstream statutory providers, in particular FE colleges, and by existing non-statutory education and training providers.
3. Examine the feasibility of establishing a “virtual” Women’s College to meet needs which cannot be adequately fulfilled by existing statutory and non-statutory providers, and consider where such a proposal sits, within the Department’s current policy for further education of total integration; and, if appropriate…
4. Determine what a “virtual” Women’s College would entail

The assignment necessitated:

• Quantitative and qualitative analysis of available data
• Consultation with a range of parties, including representatives of community-based education and training groups for women, FE colleges and student representative groups
• A sound knowledge of the FE Sector in Northern Ireland within the context of the [then recent] FE Review and, in particular, the extensive review of FE curriculum/provision and associated policy decisions

The assignment was conducted within the context that a Virtual College would use a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

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