Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on improving vocational and technical training opportunities for young people.

Skills and tertiary education is a devolved matter for the Northern Ireland Department for the Economy and NIO Ministers will continue to work closely with them to improve opportunities for young people.

The UK Government’s £50m Defence Growth Deal for Northern Ireland is an example of one of the ways in which we are supporting skills development and the creation of new high quality, high skilled jobs across Northern Ireland.

We are also investing in skills and growth initiatives with £617m of UK Government funding through the City and Growth Deal and £150 million towards Enhanced Investment Zones in Northern Ireland. For instance, a £2 million advanced manufacturing skills pilot is being delivered through UKG’s £150 million Enhanced Investment Zone, which will develop essential workforce skills, providing NI businesses with skilled employees essential for their success.