Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry has hosted the first in a series of forums to collect the views of employers, young people and training providers on apprenticeships and youth training.
Speaking from Belfast Metropolitan College’s e3 campus, he said: “The views expressed will feed into the major review of apprenticeship and youth training which I announced in February this year.
“Apprenticeships and youth training are integral to meeting the needs of businesses.
“We must invest in the right skills for our economy.”
To coincide with the series of events, the Department for Employment and Learning has launched a call for submissions on the subject; with the window to have your say closing on October 2.
Information on the process and how to have your say can be found online at http://www.delni.gov.uk/apprenticeshipreview
Minister Farry added: “I want to ensure that our future apprenticeship offering is at the right level to meet the needs of businesses for a highly skilled workforce.
“It needs to provide opportunities for young people to progress to the very top in their chosen career; and secure a sufficient supply of apprentices, especially in the key sectors of the economy.”