An Educational Journey

Mel Higgins, Principal and Chief Executive of Northern Regional College.

Mel Higgins, principal and chief executive of Northern Regional College, is a former alumnus of the college – he attended what was then ‘Magherafelt Tech’. He now oversees an annual budget of over £40m and is responsible for some 700 staff.

Having taken up his new role last November, Mel’s ambition now is “to put learners at the heart of what we do”.

There’s little doubt he has the necessary experience.

“I know what it’s like to be a student,” he said.

“It’s important that they have a voice and they realise that all Northern Regional College staff are doing what’s best for them.”

After securing a national diploma in business and finance, Mel then obtained a Business Studies degree from Ulster University.

“The college prepared me well for my university degree but, more importantly, its lecturers advised me to consider becoming a chartered accountant.

“I joined what was Coopers and Lybrand (now PwC); that all stemmed from taking that career pathway at Magherafelt College.”

Having experienced both college and university, Mel said the “big thing” he took from the latter was “the application and the understanding of the knowledge, rather than just learning”.

He also found that having lecturers who came in from industry was helpful for “relating what was being taught to what was happening in real life”.

Such first-hand experience makes Mel “keen for students to embark on an education within a further education (FE) college”.

He said they “offer significant programmes, both in traineeships and higher-level apprenticeships that allow students to work and learn at the same time”.

“Recently, we achieved a top-ten status at WorldSkills UK,” he said, adding: “that clearly demonstrates the proficiency of our lecturers and our talented students who go on to become valuable members of society’s workforce.”

The college is devoted to private public partnerships, with the Hydrogen Training Academy an excellent example.

“All six further education colleges work very effectively in collaboration,” Mel said.

“One key area of that collaboration is through curriculum hubs.

“Northern Regional College is responsible for the entrepreneurship hub, where we take the lead in developing the curriculum for that.

“We work that across all six colleges.

“A big aspect of collaboration is through the city deals and one of those major projects is the Hydrogen Training Academy along with the lead partner, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, in Ballymena.

“Through the Community Renewal Fund, we’re developing the first of its kind in Northern Ireland – a Hydrogen Training Academy which will maximise the opportunities for hydrogen as a new source of sustainable energy. We’re working in conjunction with Wrightbus and other key players.

“What the college is doing, along with Belfast Met, is developing training from Level 2 qualification upwards to Level 6 within hydrogen production, handling and safety.

“This then will fit very much into the green energy and engineering and also contribute towards net zero.

“It’s all about creating that sustainable energy. We had to upskill our staff first. They are now developing the curriculum to meet the needs of industry and they will train those in industry to accredited qualifications.”

He added: “It’s responding to a need in the economy to be greener, more efficient and contribute to net zero. And, with the significant energy price increases, it’s helping to make a more sustainable Northern Ireland by taking forward hydrogen as a mechanism. Likewise, it will make Northern Ireland more productive. It links very much in with the Department for the Economy’s 10X skills strategy and also with the skills barometer showing there are skills gaps at Levels 3, 4 and 5 which we’re meeting a demand for to train people to allow them to enter into industry and develop these techniques.”

The college’s Ballymoney and Coleraine campuses are being combined, as are the two current Ballymena sites. Both builds will be completed in the next two years.

“At the moment we’re investing £85m from the Department for the Economy to rationalise the campus estate, progressing from a six-campus model to a more efficient four-campus model,” he said.

“In doing so we’re streamlining and we’re creating state-of-the-art facilities for our learners.”

He added: “In Ballymena’s case, we’re working in partnership with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council who are developing the i4C Innovation & Cleantech Centre adjacent to our Farm Lodge site.”

Whatever the challenge, you can count on Mel Higgins to deliver.

Ken Nelson became the chair of Northern Regional College last July. An FE graduate himself, he did a textile technology course in the “old Belfast Tech” prior to earning a series of degrees.

“My role is bringing knowledge and experience,” said Ken, CEO of Local Economic Development Company (LEDCOM) Limited. He believes FE colleges need to continually adapt.

“The economy is changing constantly and some of those are external factors such as Brexit, the protocol and Covid.

“There’s also the Ukraine situation in terms of supply chains, access to materials and there are certainly skills shortages out there as well. “The college has had to be agile, flexible in adapting and providing online learning and there are lessons and opportunities from that.

“It’s trying to match the opportunities that companies need for people in terms of their skills pipeline and ensuring that the pathway is well aligned to what’s going on.

“There are high numbers of economically inactive across most council areas. How do we help them enhance their skills and employability and be matched with a job?

“It’s helping students to pick the best pathways and be aware of the options and further education is a very attractive route. You get a really good practical education at very good value.”

Ken said the perception towards FE colleges “is changing and it needs to change more”.

“It’s not a second-class option, nor a sign of not getting your first-choice pathway,” he said. “It should be seen as a first-choice option people should consider.”

“At the moment we’re investing £85m from the Department for the Economy to rationalise the campus estate, progressing from a six-campus model to a more efficient four-campus model.”