In 2006 the Department of Education launched an Education Order (The Entitlement Framework) which encouraged schools to provide a wider and extensive range or courses in all Post Primary Schools. A direct result of this, Learning Communities were established throughout the Province. FE Colleges became an integral part of these Communities and provide a range of vocational subjects that schools could feed into. This extended curriculum offered to all schools helps schools meet the targets set out in the Entitlement Framework, but more importantly, equips young people for the ever-changing demands of the modern workplace.

The subjects offered are usually of a vocational nature and are delivered in environments that reflect the workplaces that many students will move onto on completion of their studies.

Schools working in partnership with South West College promote these Level 2 and Level 3 Courses, which help enhance the experience of students while they work in workshops, restaurants, and media suites etc.; and which are fully equipped to modern industrial standards.

All of the colleges take in students from a range of schools and colleges, so young people have the added opportunity to be taught in diverse classes with students from all sections of the community.

The world of work is constantly changing. Today it is uncommon for a person to have only one occupation throughout their working life, so it’s vital that Students are able to transfer and adapt their knowledge and skills throughout their careers. To foster these abilities, Occupational Studies have been developed to allow students to learn for work, through work and about work, and it provides the potential for this learning to take place in out-of-school contexts. This hands-on approach is ideal for those who prefer to develop their skills in a more practical, occupational environment.

Occupational Studies is 100% assessed through ‘doing’ – NO EXAMS!

Career Pathways
Occupational Studies is both coherent and flexible and provides a good foundation from which to advance to competence-based post-16 courses.
The Occupational Studies specifications:

• focus on occupation and employability;

• enable progression to other courses, training and employment;

• help to raise levels of achievement; and

• emphasise learning by doing, which helps Students to develop the transferable skills needed in a changing and dynamic working environment.

Students who have decided to study Occupational Studies can do so at Level 1 and Level 2 depending on their ability.

Students select to study two units in Year 11 and two in Year 12. The nature of the qualification restrictions encourages students to try a wide range of activities. No unit or area can be studied twice.

These units are selected from 6 Occupational Areas:

1. Design and Creativity
2. Technology and Innovation
3. Construction
4. Business and Services
5. Environment and Society and
6. Engineering and Engineering Services.

The following Occupational Studies areas and courses are offered to Schools.

*Students must select 2 units to achieve 1 occupational study qualification. The viability of all courses depends on student uptake. In 2021 Occupational Studies will not be offered in the Omagh Campus.