Work is due to commence in early 2020 on a study looking at the feasibility of having residential options for courses at the college.
A total of £400,000 in funding for the study was included as part of the Government Plan for the next four years and was endorsed by the States Assembly earlier this month.
Assistant Education Minister Jeremy Maçon said that the prospect of having students from outside Jersey would have several potential benefits.
‘By advertising off-Island and bringing students here we would bring in money, and also help to make courses viable in terms of having enough students,’ he said.
Deputy Maçon spoke to the JEP in response to figures from the recent Jersey Opinions and Lifestyles Survey, in which 75% of those surveyed said that higher-education opportunities in the Island should be increased.
Younger respondents to the survey showed particularly strong support for greater opportunities, with 80% of those aged 16 to 44 in favour; the figure reduced to 63% of those aged 55 and over.
Deputy Maçon said that a good range of courses were offered in disciplines such as nursing, teaching and social work.
‘There are not just degree courses, but degree equivalent courses provided as part of the Digital Skills Academy,’ he said. ‘Our partnership with industry is a key part of our strategy for post-16 education.’
Jersey’s small size could sometimes be an advantage, the assistant minister added, as it provided flexibility to shape courses to suit an employer’s need.
One Islander who completed her professional qualifications without having to leave Jersey said there were many advantages to studying locally.
Kimberley Godinho, who works for Grant Thornton, completed her accountancy training by the age of 24 after studying with local provider BPP CI.
‘After I’d finished my A-levels I didn’t know what I wanted to do and it would have been a massive commitment to go to university at that stage without being sure,’ she said. ‘Once I got work experience and then a job I had a much clearer idea, and then I could start training in blocks while also working.’
