The Belfast Met Senior Management Team and I have welcomed and embraced the findings within the Efficiency Review Report which has been released today.  The Report was commissioned by the Department for Employment and Learning in association with the College’s Governing Body.

The report has been produced to provide recommendations for improvements to the College’s operations to ensure that the necessary structures and processes are in place for us to continue to deliver high quality teaching and training.

We have already been proactive in addressing many of the issues identified.  A number of key recommendations have been made, several of which can be actioned quickly and are within the control of the College.  Others will require external intervention and hence the changes will take longer to implement.

Belfast Metropolitan College, like many other colleges within the sector, has faced many challenges recently, which include the College merger, the restructuring of new funding mechanisms and substantial reorganisation within the sector.

Over the years, with recommendations from inspection reports, we have consistently worked hard at what we do.  We are committed to improving what we do and this Review forms part of this commitment.  Throughout this Review period, Belfast Metropolitan College has continued to deliver high quality teaching and training to meet the skills demand from local businesses to aid the recovery of the Northern Ireland economy.