To ask the Minister for the Economy whether there are any initiatives to promote careers in (i) aviation; and (ii) airport management for those wishing to study in Northern Ireland.

My Department’s Economic Infrastructure Division is currently developing an aviation policy, which aims to bring together all aspects of the aviation sector across departments and agencies and to promote better domestic and international connectivity across the region.

In the area of Apprenticeships there are a range of industry led sectoral partnerships that are responsible for the wide range of pathways across our economy. The aviation and airport occupational areas sit within the Hospitality and Tourism sectoral partnership. Aviation frameworks were withdrawn on 31st December 2023, due to lack of qualification availability, and to date, there has been insufficient industry demand to justify the development of replacement provision. This position will be kept under review.

More broadly, my Department’s Careers Service offers impartial and personalised advice and guidance on an all-age basis, provided by professionally qualified Careers Advisers. The Careers Service provides an online Careers A-Z tool, offering instant and flexible access to up-to-date information on careers, skills, labour market information and qualifications, to help inform and develop the career planning and management of young people and adults. The A-Z tool includes information on careers in the aviation sector.

The Careers Service also has a dedicated Careers Occupational Information Unit, which tracks developments across local sectors and produces careers information resources that aim to raise awareness of careers opportunities available locally. Publications, to include careers information on aviation and airport management, will issue in the next business year.