AQW 14712/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 10/09/2024
Answered On Date: 17/09/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy for an update on the development of a successor programme to the Skills for Life and Work Programme.

Answer:

My officials are currently developing the successor programme to Skills for Life and Work to be in place from August 2025.

The focus is currently on the development of the best programme for this cohort of young people, including those young people with disabilities or other barriers to participation and achievement, to ensure that the programme presents a person-centred approach to learning.

A Public Consultation on proposals for disability support in the new provision was launched on 19 July 2024 and will run until 18 October 2024. Responses will provide valuable insights into how we best support learners within the new programme.

A procurement competition for the new programme is scheduled to launch early in the New Year.