Manufacturing NI has welcomed the relaunch of the Northern Ireland Skills Council by Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald, particularly the recognition of Advanced Manufacturing as a priority area within the Council’s work.
Mary Meehan, Manufacturing NI Board Member, will continue to serve on the Council, providing strategic leadership and representing the skills needs of Northern Ireland’s manufacturing sector.
Manufacturing NI has been represented on the Council since its inception and has consistently championed the importance of manufacturing skills to Northern Ireland’s economic future. This sustained engagement has helped influence the Council’s agenda, and the inclusion of Advanced Manufacturing as a specific priority reflects the importance of ensuring industry needs are at the heart of skills policy.
At the recent meeting with the Economy Minister, Mary highlighted a number of key concerns on behalf of Manufacturing NI, including:
- Apprenticeship funding: The impact of recent restrictions on apprenticeships for existing employees and the importance of supporting both new entrants and workforce upskilling.
- Apprenticeship Levy transparency: The need for greater visibility of Northern Ireland employers’ contributions and how apprenticeship funding is allocated and spent.
- Employer-led training: Greater flexibility for businesses to identify their own training needs, choose appropriate providers and access funding directly.
- Long-term skills investment: The need for sustainable funding that aligns with Northern Ireland’s ambitions for productivity, digitalisation and advanced manufacturing.
Manufacturing NI welcomes the opportunity to continue influencing skills policy through the reformed Council, ensuring that manufacturers have a strong voice in shaping future skills priorities and that investment translates into practical support for businesses.
Stephen Kelly, Manufacturing NI Chief Executive, said
“Advanced manufacturing is central to Northern Ireland’s economic future, but our ambitions depend on having the right skills in place. We welcome the renewed focus of the Skills Council and look forward to ensuring employers have a stronger voice in shaping apprenticeships, training investment and workforce development across manufacturing.”
Read more: Minister relaunches Northern Ireland Skills Council