OECD Reviews on Local Job Creation Engaging Employers and Developing Skills at the Local Level in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

This OECD report on Northern Ireland, United Kingdom identifies a number of innovative programmes that aim to better engage employers in the design and delivery of training. It also looks at the role of local district councils in working closer with employers... Foreword Acknowledgements Acronyms and Abbreviations Executive Summary Assessment and Recommendations Working closer with employers for better local labour market outcomes Apprenticeship starts in Northern Ireland have improved steadily but there is greater room for female participation Northern Ireland can strengthen local networks among employers... ...and explore more innovative ways to support SMEs or “harder to reach” employers Employer education programmes can raise awareness of the value of training Better using skills in the workplace Enhance management and leadership training A focus on skills utilisation approaches can improve the quality of jobs locally Northern Ireland should aim to foster local skills ecosystems Leveraging regional intelligence to inform policy development Understanding how local labour market needs are evolving can inform responsive policies Examine the role of local councils in better gearing training to demand The state of training and programme implementation Strengthen career guidance and pathways for young people Ensure a flexible training system with a focus on quality Setting clear targets and goals to improve apprenticeship completion effectiveness Chapter 1. Recent economic and labour market trends in Northern Ireland Set the context Key economic trends Labour market trends Education and training Key government departments implementing employment and skills policies Recent government reforms and policy initiatives Northern Ireland strategy on apprenticeship Apprenticeship participation rates Conclusions References Chapter 2. Understanding firm dynamics and skills in Northern Ireland The profile of Northern Irish firms The incidence and typology of vacancies Training provision Results from the OECD Survey of Northern Ireland firms Business demography Apprenticeships and skills Firms offering apprenticeships Employer reaction to the Apprenticeship Levy scheme Conclusions References Chapter 3. Implementing employer engagement strategies in Northern Ireland Understanding how employers are engaging with government on skills needs Formal governance bodies to engage and consult employers on skills Better gearing the skills system to the labour market National strategy for career guidance The implementation of career guidance programmes in Northern Ireland Better gearing the education system to the labour market Collaboration with firms in gearing career guidance to demand Online resources Better anticipating future skills needs of Northern Ireland Promoting inclusive growth in the labour market Focus on the low skilled or disadvantaged Focus on key sectors Employer engagement in delivering VET at the local level The role of employers in influencing training provision Facilitating the involvement of SMEs Understanding the role of local councils in Northern Ireland Flexibility of public institutions in responding to local employer needs Benefits of training for employers Apprenticeships in non-traditional fields Tailored / ad-hoc training courses Improving work organisation, job design and skills utilisation in the workplace High-performance workplaces and work organisation in Northern Ireland The role of the public sector in promoting better skills use Focus on better using skills within SMEs Local strategies to encourage better skills use in the workplace References