We recently heard news about an important discussion focusing on expanding apprenticeship opportunities right here in Northern Ireland, a topic vital for our local community. Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA joined apprentices, employers, and educators for a special roundtable event to explore how we can grow these valuable pathways for both our economy and society.
This engaging discussion was brought together by Workplus as part of their 'Software for All' project, which works closely with Software NI. Funded by the Department for the Economy (DfE) through the Apprenticeship Inclusion Challenge Fund, the initiative has a clear goal: to inspire and inform people about exciting software roles, with a particular focus on encouraging more women into the sector, and to create a wealth of new apprenticeship opportunities.
The event delved into both the fantastic opportunities and any challenges within the current apprenticeship landscape. Rachel Chapman shared her positive experience, having found her apprenticeship with Allsop thanks to the 'Software for All' initiative. "My apprenticeship is giving me such a rounded experience," Rachel explained. "It has been a fantastic journey so far – I’m Allsop’s first early careers apprentice and I’d love to see more people have these opportunities in software. I think blending work and education is such a great way of launching a career in software."
Minister Archibald warmly praised the collaborative spirit and dedication shown by everyone involved in the project. She noted, "The Apprenticeship Inclusion Challenge Fund was created to support innovative projects like this, to help increase apprenticeship uptake among women, people with disabilities, and those from disadvantaged areas." The Minister added that by partnering with local ICT employers, Workplus and Software NI are "opening new pathways for women and girls into apprenticeships and helping make our workforce more inclusive, dynamic and representative."
Workplus plays a key role, developing bespoke software to help with early talent recruitment and running coordinated apprenticeship campaigns. Richard Kirk, CEO of Workplus, highlighted Rachel's story as a perfect example of the project's success. "Rachel personifies the purpose of Software for All: creating opportunities in priority sectors and helping more employers engage in the system," he said. "We know how beneficial apprenticeships are to both individuals and employers, but we also know how important the coordination piece is in making this space easier to navigate for everyone."
The software industry is a significant contributor to Northern Ireland, adding £1.7 billion annually to our economy and employing around 23,000 people across more than 2,000 businesses. Software NI is dedicated to supporting this growth, aiming to double the sector's size by 2035. Neil Hutcheson, CEO of Software NI, emphasised the project's alignment with the Minister’s goals: "This is an important project for Software NI and it is demonstrating results that are fully aligned to the Minister’s priorities. In addition to creating 40 more accessible software job opportunities for women, this project serves as a valuable education and engagement initiative, allowing us to showcase the stories of women already in the software sector, the careers available, and to help address some software sector misconceptions."
During her visit, the Economy Minister also took part in the Workplus podcast, which is set to be released next month. The 'Software for All' project is ongoing and will continue to create opportunities until September 2026. For anyone interested in learning more about this exciting initiative and the opportunities it offers, further information can be found at campaigns.workplus.app/software-for-all.