Archibald launches new Skills Action Plan

Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has unveiled a new Skills Action Plan that sets out how her Department will work in partnership to build the local skills base and deliver a sustainable, prosperous economy.

Speaking at the NI Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Future Workforce Summit this morning, the Minister said: “Our economy is changing rapidly, with new industries emerging and leading the way with innovative technologies, and this is driving the demand for more highly-skilled workers.

“Last year, we set out a clear Economic Vision with four priorities – increasing the number of good jobs, raising productivity, decarbonising our economy, and striving for regional balance – all underpinned by skills development.” 

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The Minister added: “Much has been achieved to date to enhance our skills base, such as implementing a plan to expand Magee campus to 10,000 students; focussing skills support at our seven high-potential sectors; and establishing a Skills Fund for programmes such as the SME Productivity Booster, Skill Up, and the Apprenticeship Inclusion Challenge Fund.”

The Action Plan focuses on three key themes: collaborating with our industry and education partners to develop new ways of working; improving the skills systems by building on the success of our institutions, interventions and programmes; and creating an inclusive, forward-looking skills ecosystem that empowers individuals and supports economic transformation.

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The Minister highlighted some of the points in the three-year Skills Action Plan which will drive the skills agenda. They included:

• Improving skills provision to support the needs of the childcare sector, developing new courses and curriculum to ensure there is a pathway for new entrants into this important sector.
• Enhancing skills provision for young people with special educational needs who often face a cliff edge in support.
• Driving work on a Further Education Reform Programme that will see collaboration with the colleges to sharpen their contribution to the skills ecosystem.
• A commitment to a Review of Higher Education Funding.
• Implementing the skills outworkings of the Lyons Review of Invest NI.
• Extending eligibility for our post-graduate research support for fully-funded PhD studentships, to include residents from the south of Ireland.
• Commissioning research on Irish-Medium accreditation and learner support systems to identify barriers and potential solutions.
• Collaborating on an all-island basis to reduce barriers to student mobility, as well as exploring Shared Island Funding for collaborative work in apprenticeships.

The Minister concluded: “This new Skills Action Plan is a distinct, forward-looking framework that will deliver on my Economic Vision and the Programme for Government, through targeted actions that reflect current and future economic needs.”

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