Developing the skills for Northern Ireland’s future

Urgent and significant improvement is required if Northern Ireland is to ensure it has the skills needed to achieve its economic ambitions. That is among the conclusions of a report published today (Wednesday 18 September 2024) by the Comptroller and Auditor General.

Dorinnia Carville’s report on ‘Developing the skills for Northern Ireland’s future’ focuses on the activities of the Department for the Economy (DfE). Whilst effective development of skills is dependent on collaboration across government and industry, DfE has responsibility for leading on skills policy. Support for skills and learning is the largest area of spend for DfE, with approximately £470 million spent in 2023-24 funding a range of initiatives and programmes.

Today’s report cites previous research illustrating the scale of the skills challenge facing Northern Ireland. The 2022 Employer Skills Survey found that, of an estimated 39,500 vacancies, approximately 35 per cent were considered by employers to be attributable to a lack of skills, experience or qualifications. In addition, the most recent Skills Barometer (published by Ulster University’s Economic Policy Centre in March 2022) forecast a continuing under supply of skilled and qualified new workers needed to support a high-growth economy.

However, the report notes that, whilst many of the activities funded by the Department have individually positive outcomes and evaluations, the latest monitoring information shows a lack of progress towards achieving the strategic goals of the Department’s Skills Strategy:

-The most recent data shows the proportion of the working age population with qualifications of at least Level 2 or Level 3 has decreased since the prior year.

-There was no progress against the strategic goal to increase the proportion of individuals graduating with degrees in narrow STEM subjects.

-The adult participation rate in education or training has decreased.

Commenting on the report’s findings, and its recommendations for delivering on the strategy in the forthcoming years, Dorinnia Carville said:
“Skills shortages are having a detrimental impact on business and economic growth in Northern Ireland. Despite the range of support provided by the Department, little demonstrable progress has been made. This will only make it more challenging for the Department to achieve the ambitions set out in its Skills Strategy.”

“Urgent improvement is needed, and my report has identified a number of areas which require action. Of fundamental importance is ensuring a clearer link between overarching strategic goals, current skills needed, and actions being delivered on the ground. Better use of data is also essential in planning and evaluating current and new skills initiatives.”

“The Strategy is underpinned by two-, five- and eight-year implementation plans. Two years in, I am concerned that three of the key indicators have gone in the wrong direction, while one has remained static. Addressing the skills challenges facing Northern Ireland requires all stakeholders to work together. Weaknesses in the arrangements to support a coherent approach to developing skills must be addressed. It is vital that the findings and recommendations of this report are considered closely, and that action is taken in order to ensure more meaningful and demonstrable progress in the years ahead.”