The latest NI Skills & Labour Market Intelligence report (October 2025) highlights both opportunities and challenges for Northern Ireland’s economy, with clear implications for the manufacturing sector.
Employment in NI stands at 898,000 (71.8% rate), the third lowest across the UK. Median earnings for full-time employees are £34,400, or around £3,000 below the UK average but earnings rise significantly with higher skill levels, underlining the value of continued upskilling.
Manufacturing reported 700 skills shortage vacancies in 2024 – a sharp fall from 2,700 in 2022 but the sector also saw a 22% drop in investment in training per employee, now £2,040 compared with £3,090 in construction. With skills shortages persisting, sustained investment in training will be critical to maintain competitiveness.
The report also shows that long-term sickness is driving rising economic inactivity, now affecting a third of those out of work. Meanwhile, those in the most deprived areas remain twice as likely to have no qualifications, and half as likely to hold Level 4 or above.
For manufacturing, this data reinforces the need to engage with schools, promote pathways into industry, and invest in training that ensures a skilled pipeline for the future.
You can see more information here: NISC Paper 4 – 02 October Meeting – Skills Council Intelligence Pack October 2025[83].PDF