The Lagan Valley MLA has said: "The Apprenticeship Action Plan is welcome, and fundamentally we have no objection to anything contained within it. It has significant potential to be beneficial for local small and medium-sized enterprises, and for the public sector.

"Nevertheless, our view is that the plan is neither ambitious enough, nor targeted enough. It refers to North-South collaboration, but does not learn the lessons from the Republic of Ireland about the need for greater linkage to further education, or in our case, to Further Education Colleges.

"The pre-existing Skillnet Ireland model in the Republic has worked well precisely because it is centred around an independent body which links apprenticeships and skills to the identified needs of employers. There is no reason this could not be replicated here, particularly if the aim is to enhance the all-island economy.

"The main lesson, however, is that we need to be genuinely strategic in how we link apprenticeships, training, employment, and learning through plans such as this one. By doing so, we can create better opportunities for our young people, delivering for both our workforce and our local employers, looking toward the future with real ambition."