To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any ongoing work to maximize the skills pipeline in North Down in conjunction with the Belfast Region City Deal.

My Department is working with stakeholders across business, education, and skills to deliver a skills system across the region which will support both individuals and businesses to reach their full potential.

My Department funds delivery of the Level 2 Traineeship which is a full-time vocational education and training programme open to anyone over 16 years of age who is unemployed.

In 2022/3 there were 60 trainees undertaking the programme in the North Down Parliamentary constituency area.

Latest official statistics indicate that there are just over 400 apprentices from the North Down constituency area participating on the Department’s ApprenticeshipsNI and Higher Level Apprenticeship programmes.

In addition, as part of the Belfast Region City Deal the SHED 1.0 project is currently in the early stages of development. This project, intended as part of the Ards and North Down Innovation Hub, is designed to provide space for technologists, local SMEs and communities to pursue innovation projects at small to medium scale, providing growth in skills, employment and the economy.

The project will specifically focus on creative and digital skills, with Holywood chosen as the most appropriate site due to the number and quality of this type of employment in the town and its connections to the industry.