Skills Strategy for Northern Ireland Graeme Wilkinson Director

Skills Strategy for Northern Ireland Graeme Wilkinson Director of Skills 1 st July 2021

Policy Context The ambition is for a ‘ 10 x Economy’. We will realise this ambition by focussing on innovation where we have real strengths and making sure these gains mean something to all businesses, people and places in Northern Ireland.

Competitive advantage is being eroded rapidly NI is slipping behind 2010 Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, Estonia, Germany, France, Austria, Ireland, Iceland & Belgium ahead of NI 2020 – added to the list are; Czech Republic, Poland, Slovenia, Lithuania, Latvia, Portugal, Cyprus, Luxembourg and equal to Bulgaria Courtesy of Ulster University Economic Policy Centre

Pre-Existing Challenges

Skills Strategy for Northern Ireland • On 26 th May 2021, the Minister launched a consultation on a new Skills Strategy for Northern Ireland, ‘Skills for a 10 x Economy’. • The consultation runs for 12 weeks and ends on the 19 th August 2021. • It proposes three major policy objectives: 1. Addressing Skills Imbalances, Driving Economic Growth; 2. Creating a Culture of Lifelong Learning; and 3. Enhancing Digital Skills, Developing Our Digital Spine. • The proposals have been built on an extensive period of research and stakeholder engagement, considering international best practice, and including bespoke research undertaken by the OECD and Landfall Strategy Group. • Development of the Strategy has been supported by a cross-departmental Project Board an Advisory Group of representatives from business, education and trades unions.

Design Principles

Skills Objectives and Enablers

Skills and Employability Ecosystem

What actions are we planning? • Establishment of a Northern Ireland Skills Council • Publication of Work Quality Indicators • Skills Action Plans to support priority clusters • Review of Level 4/5 HE provision in FE • Further Skills and Innovation research • Lifelong learning project • Public sector and all age apprenticeships

Next Steps/Timetable

Skills Strategy Consultation… You can find details of the Strategy and a link to the on-line consultation at: A Skills Strategy for Northern Ireland – Skills for a 10 x Economy | Department for the Economy (economyni. gov. uk)

Any Questions?