Debate contribution: Skills Shortages
Debate contribution by Mr Conor Murphy on .
- MLA
- Mr Conor Murphy
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 20 January 2025
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Skills Shortages
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 4744698
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I have had a number of meetings with the manufacturing sector in Mid Ulster over the past year or 18 months, most recently last November. It is doing a remarkable job, and its organisation through the board of Manufacturing and Engineering Growth and Advancement (MEGA) adds strength to what it is delivering. We discussed with MEGA opportunities and challenges in the manufacturing and engineering sector in Mid Ulster, including the need for a skilled labour force, and how the Department and its partner organisations can align our provision with the needs of the industry. We have had discussions on AI with the Department responsible in Westminster to get a sense of the direction of travel under the British Government, what they might legislate for and how that might impact on us, as well as to see how we can enhance the use of AI to support our local manufacturing. One of my four objectives is productivity, which is about using the latest technology to improve the outcome of manufacturing in particular. We want to ensure that all our manufacturers have access to the latest thinking and learning. We will invest in an AI centre to ensure that people have a resource to go to for advice and support in that area.
211 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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