This week, the Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald launched the Apprenticeship Action Plan which aims to improve, grow, and make apprenticeships more inclusive across Northern Ireland. The plan focuses on:
Improving the apprenticeship system to make it more effective, more successful, innovative, and ready to meet the needs of both the workforce and employers.
Growing the apprenticeship system to increase the employers and individuals benefiting from enhanced skills provision.
Including all sectors of society within apprenticeship, including those who have traditionally been marginalised in employment.
A copy of the full document can be found at Apprenticeship Action Plan – August 2025