To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any steps he is taking to incentivise and facilitate more people to train in industries currently experiencing labour shortages, such as agri-food, logistics and hospitality.

My Department is committed to providing skills support to employers through the Skills Focus programme, which is delivered by the six Further Education colleges. Skills Focus is well established in helping upskill small and medium size businesses, including those from the agri-food, logistics and hospitality sectors.

My Department has also funded a series of leadership and management courses for the Hospitality and Tourism sector. Working with the Hospitality and Tourism network (HATS) and Tourism NI, Belfast Met hosted four, DfE funded Master Classes.

Support for the sector continues with Skills Focus offering bespoke training, aimed at Hospitality and Tourism managers, for a level 3 accredited qualification in leadership and management.

Tourism NI is also working directly with the sector to align activity and address key strands of a skills action plan. They are actively working to develop an advertising campaign aimed at addressing serious issues such as the attraction and retention of a skilled workforce to the Hospitality and Tourism sector.

The COVID Recovery Kick Start Programme will also provide an avenue of support to existing tourism businesses to identify recovery action plans across four key business areas including HR and Talent development.

In September 2021, my Department introduced the NI Traineeship programme, which is a new full-time level 2 vocational education programme. The programme is being introduced on a phased basis with Traineeships across 22 occupational areas available from September 2021. When at full capacity Traineeships will be available across more than 30 occupational areas, including a range of agri-food and hospitality pathways.

My Department’s Careers Service maintains a strategic overview of key sectors, drawing upon information from Sector Partnerships, Curriculum Hubs and other key stakeholders. This facilitates the production of dedicated, localised Careers Information bulletins for key sectors.