What is FE?

Further Education Colleges:

Diverse Learning Opportunities for All

Further education colleges are involved in a wide range of full and part-time education and training opportunities for young people and adults.

The combined KAFEC colleges provide learning opportunities to over 75,000 people, the vast majority of which live in Kent or Medway.

This includes vocational training, work-based learning, academic studies, professional qualifications and distance learning opportunities from pre-entry level to higher education.

Young People

For young people (16-18s) they can offer a more flexible alternative to staying on at schools, but with all the facilities and pastoral support they may need.

Most colleges offer a wider curriculum than schools enabling school leavers to choose the right kind of education or training for them, whether it be vocational or academic in nature.

Click on "Your options at 16+" to find information for Parents and Students about Schools & FE Colleges. You can also click on "Contact Us" to find links to your local college's website and prospectus.

Don't forget that 16-18s in full-time education pay no fees and can get help with other costs such as transport through the learning support funds.

For those aged 14-16 and still at school the Government is increasingly finding ways to ensure young people are provided with the right learning opportunities for them.

School-College partnerships are being encouraged through which some young people may be able to undertake a mix of school and college courses.

Adult Learners

Adult learners (19+) contrary to popular belief (19+) represent the largest proportion of students. Most are part-time and many study in the evening or at weekends.

The development of distance learning and information and communication technologies (ICT) means that learning can be more flexible, relevant and enjoyable than perhaps many adults previously experienced.

Adults can undertake a very wide range of qualification based programmes, which meet their professional developmental needs, work based skill requirements or academic and personal interests.

Most colleges offer a range of day or evening programmes to suit your lifestyle. Click on "Contact Us" to access your local college's website and prospectus.

Community & Widening Participation

KAFEC colleges are also national leaders in the development and delivery of community based or "outreach" learning.

This is usually aimed at local communities or individuals seeking better access to appropriate high quality learning opportunities closer to home.

Business & Employers

Further education colleges work in close partnership with local businesses and employers.

Most colleges have at least 100 local business partners and all College Corporation Boards have members from the business community on them.

Further Education colleges have always sought to provide the highest training standards for improving skills for industry and commerce.

Kent & Medway colleges account for over one third of work-based learning funded by the K&M Learning & Skills Council.

Colleges work closely with businesses to meet their training needs, both for younger employees (16-19s who may be on Youth Training or Modern Apprenticeship programmes) and adults seeking career development or up-skilling.

There are now many innovative ways to help fund courses, on which your local college can provide further details.

Individuals can also get tax relief on the course fee if they pay themselves.
Employers can get help with staff development through the Investors in People scheme.
Profit from Learning/Employer Training Pilot
Centres of Vocational Excellence
Train to Gain