AQW 10862/17-22


Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry


Tabled Date: 24/11/2020
Answered On Date: 06/12/2020
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy (i) for an update on the Skills Strategy; (ii) whether students have been consulted in its development; and (iii) whether the Skills Strategy will replace the current further education strategy Further Education Means Success.


Answer:
The new Skills Strategy for Northern Ireland is being developed for consultation and publication in 2021.
The draft Strategy consultation document is currently being reviewed by the Project Board and Advisory Group. Then, following Departmental Board and ministerial approval, it will be referred to the Executive for consideration in December. The consultation process will take place early in 2021, with final revisions in the spring and publication of the new Skills Strategy in summer next year.
The overarching focus of the Strategy is on developing a skills system which drives economic prosperity and tackles social inequality. It is founded upon three major policy objectives: addressing skills imbalances, creating a culture of lifelong learning and enhancing digital education and inclusion across society.
Our aim is to ensure Northern Ireland can capitalise on its established potential in global markets - focusing on our strengths will be key to improving our overall performance in innovation, productivity and competitiveness. At the same time, we must ensure economic success is balanced, by providing everyone with the education and training opportunities that enable them to participate in a rapidly changing labour market.
We are also developing new governance arrangements to ensure greater collaboration across government and between government, education, business and trade unions. In doing so, we are setting out the fundamental importance of sustained investment in our skills system.
A key proposed commitment for consultation is the creation of a ring-fenced skills fund, to provide new opportunities in the labour market and support the skills development of the working age population as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for the economic changes brought about by our exit from the EU.
An extensive stakeholder engagement process was carried out by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, in conjunction with my Department, as part of their research project “Skills Strategy Northern Ireland – Assessment and Recommendations”, which has informed the development of the consultation document. This encompassed engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including central and local government, industry and academia, though not specifically with students.
However, as part of the proposed public consultation, the Skills Strategy team will offer focused consultation workshops directly to specific groups which have not had a significant role in shaping our research and consultation documents to date and this will include students, through NUS/USI.
The work which has been taken forward under the Further Education Means Success (FEMS) Strategy has transformed how FE colleges carry out their role, with the result that they are now even better equipped to deliver the knowledge and skills that learners need to gain employment and to contribute to the development and growth of the economy. Twenty-five of the thirty-eight milestones identified in the eight FEMS Action Plans have now been delivered and work to achieve the remaining milestones will continue alongside the development and delivery of an action plan to implement the relevant areas of the Skills Strategy.