That this Assembly expresses concern over the decreasing number of apprenticeships which are available in Northern Ireland’s manufacturing industries and calls on the Department for Employment and Learning to address the current decline and to promote the

I support the motion, and I congratulate Mr Shannon on securing the debate and on bringing this important matter to the Floor of the Assembly. The Assembly has debated the Programme for Government, and all sides of the House will agree that its emphasis on the Province’s economic development should be a priority for the Executive and for every MLA.

The Department for Employment and Learning has a massive role to play in ensuring that economic development is not simply an aspiration. By developing a workforce with the necessary skills and adaptability, it will provide the resources from which firms can benefit greatly. Unfortunately, some companies in the manufacturing sector report skills shortages and are voicing their belief that there is little improvement on the horizon.

In light of that, it is worrying to see a downward trend in the number of apprenticeships in Northern Ireland’s manufacturing industries. Granted, there has been a downturn in the manufacturing market: for example, the cooling of the housing market has had a knock-on effect on the construction industry. Yet surely those who are already serving apprenticeships must be protected, and pupils from schools throughout Northern Ireland who wish to enter the manufacturing industry must be provided with the opportunity and the incentives to pursue their chosen career paths.

Incentives to employers have played a part in firms taking on apprentices, and the funding framework of the Training for Success programme is central to that. However, today’s motion concerns a downward trend in the number of apprenticeships. The impact of prevailing economic conditions on employers is a factor in the downward trend in the number of apprenticeships being offered by firms.

I urge the Minister for Employment and Learning to examine other ways to promote apprenticeships and to entice those in manufacturing to take on apprentices. Importantly, employers must allow those that they have taken on to serve their full apprenticeships. In the current economic conditions, perhaps extra incentives should be offered to employers. Everyone on the Committee for Employment and Learning and in the Assembly will welcome the Finance Minister’s announcement today of an additional £40 million.

Shortly after the announcement, the Minister for Employment and Learning, Sir Reg Empey, issued a statement:

“As we all know, Northern Ireland has significant issues in the areas of adult apprenticeships, essential skills, careers and increasing the numbers moving from benefits into employment. We also need to nurture and retain our best talent if we are to compete on the world stage.”

The Minister has continually promoted that issue, and I am pleased that he has re-emphasised it in today’s statement.

This is the second debate in a fortnight that has raised concerns about apprenticeships. That surely highlights the strength of feeling among Members. The issue affects everyone and is Province-wide, from my constituency of South Belfast to Fermanagh and South Tyrone to Foyle and to Strangford. I am sure that the Minister will take on board the concerns raised today.

If Northern Ireland is to move forward and prosper economically, the necessary skills base is essential. I urge the Minister to take on board the views from today’s debate and from the previous debate. I have no doubt that he will do that, in conjunction with the Committee for Employment and Learning. The onus is on all of us to push the matter forward.