AQW 12144/17-22

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 16/12/2020
Answered On Date: 05/01/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy, pursuant to AQW 11485/17-22, according to the Northern Ireland Skills Barometer, which STEM subjects in particular are undersupplied in higher education.

Answer:

The Skills Barometer produced by the Ulster University Economic Policy Centre provides us with a detailed understanding of the future skills needs of the Northern Ireland economy under a high growth scenario.

Results from the 2019 update of the Skills Barometer model project that the top three subjects that will be undersupplied at degree level in STEM subjects are as follows: Engineering and Technology; Mathematical and Computer Science; and Physical/Environment Sciences.

It should be noted that the latest Skills Barometer update was produced prior to the current Covid-19 pandemic.

More detailed information on the Skills Barometer 2019 results can be viewed here: https://www.economy-ni.gov.uk/publications/northern-ireland-skills-barometer-2019-update.