AQW 32295/22-27


Ms Sian Mulholland
Alliance Party
North Antrim


Tabled Date: 29/09/2025
Answered On Date: 08/10/2025
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy to outline any initiatives her Department currently have available in rural areas, to increase digital literacy.


Answer:
My economic vision is framed around the four goals of regional balance, productivity, good jobs and achieving net zero. Digital skills courses are delivered throughout the region. These pathways support upskilling and reskilling, from Essential Skills, Traineeships and Apprenticeships through to higher education including Higher Level Apprenticeships, degree-level and postgraduate study. Further Education (FE) colleges embed digital literacy across mainstream programmes and offer dedicated provision, including short courses, Essential Skills Digital ICT, and community-based outreach. Traineeships for example, are available across a wide range of sectors, including Digital Skills and ICT.  In 2023/24, ICT was the 9th most popular traineeship, with 105 new starts. All traineeships embed digital literacy, equipping learners with the baseline skills needed for work and progression. With 29 campuses located across Northern Ireland, FE colleges ensure that learners, including those in rural and remote areas, can access digital learning opportunities. Their local presence, combined with targeted outreach, helps to overcome barriers to access and supports people in building the digital skills they need for work, study, and everyday life. Unless exempt due to existing qualifications, apprentices participating on the ApprenticeshipsNI programme are required to undertake the new NI Digital ICT Essential Skills qualifications which were introduced in September 2025. These standards set out the digital skills required by learners for everyday life and for work. The ApprenticeshipsNI programme is delivered across the North by the six FE colleges as well as the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) and 30 private training organisations.