Improving Skills Base in Northern Ireland: Urgent Changes Required
A new report from the Audit Office has highlighted the urgent need for improvements in the skills base of Northern Ireland’s working population in order to achieve the region’s economic ambitions. Comptroller and Auditor General Dorinnia Carville emphasized that skills shortages are negatively impacting business and economic growth in the area. The report, titled “Developing the skills for Northern Ireland’s future,” focuses on the activities of the Department for the Economy (DfE) in Stormont.
Challenges in Skills Development
The report points out that while the DfE leads on skills policy and is responsible for much of the government-funded skills initiatives, successful delivery of the Skills Strategy depends on collaboration across government and other sectors. The department allocated approximately £470 million in 2023-24 to fund various initiatives and programs aimed at supporting skills and learning. However, despite these efforts, the report highlights the significant skills challenge facing Northern Ireland.
According to the 2022 Employer Skills Survey, an estimated 39,500 vacancies in Northern Ireland were attributed to a lack of skills, experience, or qualifications. Additionally, the most recent Skills Barometer from Ulster University’s Economic Policy Centre forecasted a continued undersupply of skilled and qualified workers needed to sustain a high-growth economy in the region.
Lack of Progress and Strategic Goals
The report raises concerns about the lack of progress towards achieving the strategic goals outlined in the Skills Strategy. Monitoring data indicates a decrease in the proportion of the working-age population with qualifications of at least Level 2 or Level 3 compared to the previous year. Moreover, there has been no advancement in increasing the proportion of individuals graduating with degrees in narrow Stem subjects, and the adult participation rate in education or training has declined.
The need for substantial improvements to achieve the goals of the Skills Strategy is emphasized in the report. It questions how DfE ensures that all skills programs align with the needs of Northern Ireland and how it measures the success and impact of its skills delivery arrangements as a whole. The report calls for significant changes to deliver the necessary skills to support the region’s economic vision both now and in the future.
Addressing Skills Challenges
Ms. Carville highlighted the detrimental impact of skills shortages on business and economic growth in Northern Ireland and expressed concern over the lack of demonstrable progress despite the department’s support. She stressed the urgency of improvement and identified areas requiring immediate action to address the skills challenges facing the region.
A Department for the Economy spokesperson responded to the report, welcoming its findings and emphasizing the importance of skills and talent for businesses and the minister’s economic plans. The department is developing a new skills action plan to complement the Skills Fund launched in July, aiming to enhance collaboration across government, academia, and the business community to achieve better outcomes in skills development.
Moving Forward Together
The report underscores the necessity for all stakeholders to work together in addressing the skills challenges facing Northern Ireland. It calls for improvements in the arrangements supporting a coherent approach to skills development and urges close consideration of the report’s findings and recommendations to drive meaningful progress in the years ahead.
In conclusion, the urgent need for improvements in the skills base of Northern Ireland is evident, and collaborative efforts are crucial to overcoming the existing challenges. By taking decisive action and implementing the recommendations outlined in the report, Northern Ireland can work towards a future where the workforce is equipped with the necessary skills to support economic growth and prosperity in the region.