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"That's the interesting thing about that strange time between school and further education, because the bond that you have with your friends from school will never be closer, tighter than it is during that summer," he explains.

But in Northern Ireland, no such plan is in place which can leave young people and their families without a pathway or the support needed for further education and employment.

With a budget of £960m, it has taken over responsibility for funding and regulating universities, further education and training as well as school sixth forms.

Unions representing further education lecturers in Northern Ireland are balloting their members on strike action.

"Further education colleges are employers in their own right and as such, the department is not directly involved in negotiations with trade unions," the department said.