AQW 303/22-27 Written question to the Minister for the Economy
To ask the Minister for the Economy to outline what steps he is taking to improve the availability of skilled staff across all industries where need exists.
Asked by Claire Sugden MLA on 20 May 2022
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 20 May 2022
- Answer due by
- 8 June 2022
- Answered
- 8 June 202219 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for the Economy
- Priority question
- No
Answer
My Department published the new Skills Strategy ‘Skills for a 10x Economy’ in March 2022 which focuses on three major policy objectives to boost the supply of skills that will be required to support our economic ambitions over the next decade, namely:
Addressing skills imbalances, driving economic growth;
Creating a culture of lifelong learning; and
Enhancing digital skills, developing our digital spine.
When complete, ‘Skills for a 10x Economy’ will help ensure that Northern Ireland’s citizens and the business community have access to modern, economically relevant skills that will empower them to reach their full potential and improve our competitiveness on the global stage.
The establishment of the Skills Council provides a forum where stakeholders will discuss the key challenges and priorities for the skills system, providing strategic advice on the implementation of the Skills Strategy.
Collaborative work between government Departments will be crucial, alongside engagement with local government to ensure the necessary support for individuals. My Department is working collaboratively developing labour market partnerships with the Department for Communities and enhancing digital skills and developing our digital spine with the Department of Education.
The Skills Strategy also highlights the need for a for a full review of investment in the skills system and recommends a ring-fenced skills fund to provide new opportunites in the labour market and and support skills development.
As an example of Departmental provision, in 2021/22, 53 Assured Skills academies were launched, including sixteen academies in the IT sector, nine in Financial Services, eleven in Business, one in Legal and sixteen in Manufacturing & Engineering. To date 43 academies have completed, resulting in 625 people being upskilled, and 552 of those gaining full time employment with participating companies.'