AQW 51130/22-27

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 07/09/2026
Answered On Date: 17/09/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy (i) to provide a copy of any course content designed to teach students in (a) schools; (b) higher education; and (c) further education, about how to become self-employed and the practicalities of operating their own business; and (ii) to detail any materials that are provided for careers advisors to encourage self-employment.

Answer:

All college and university courses, including module content, can be found on the Further Education College and Higher Education Institution websites. Schools are not within the remit of my department.

Careers Advisers provide personalised support and have access to up-to-date labour market information provided by my department’s economists which they use to inform careers guidance discussions, including self-employment.

Additionally, the Careers Occupational Information Unit develop locally focused careers resources through engagement with employers, educators, industry representatives, professional bodies and other stakeholders.