Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has announced £2 million in fresh funding to develop skills across Northern Ireland’s advanced manufacturing sector, marking the first major spending from a long-delayed £150 million UK Government investment pot. The programme, unveiled at a Lurgan-based recycling firm, aims to deliver more than 400 qualifications over the coming year as part of the decade-long Enhanced Investment Zone (EIZ) scheme.
The investment represents a shift from planning to delivery for the EIZ, which was announced in early 2025 but faced criticism for slow progress. The funding will target Level 3 to Level 7 qualifications in engineering, digital technologies, core sciences and business leadership, with a focus on helping small firms adopt new technologies and improve productivity.
From Pilot to Programme
The £2 million allocation follows a small-scale pilot that supported 30 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through Belfast Metropolitan College. The Department for the Economy confirmed that the pilot demonstrated “strong impact for businesses” before the decision was made to expand the programme for the 2026/27 financial year.
The announcement was made at Plaswire, a Craigavon firm that recycles wind-turbine blades and aircraft interiors into construction materials. The company benefited from the pilot phase through the college’s AME Booster programme and is cited as an example of how targeted skills support can help advanced manufacturers scale up operations.
Political Context: Turning Plans into Action
The funding announcement comes 16 months after the UK Government first pledged £150 million for the Northern Ireland EIZ as part of the £3.3 billion financial package to restore devolved government. In February 2025, DUP MLA Phillip Brett told the Assembly he was “hugely disappointed” with the pace of delivery, stating: “That £150 million fund was announced 12 months ago, and it seems that all we have had is engagement at official level.”
Minister Archibald acknowledged at the time that navigating such programmes was “a bureaucratic and lengthy process,” but insisted political weight would be put behind delivery. Tuesday’s announcement appears to represent that shift from bureaucratic design to actual spending, though the Department notes a “formal launch” of the wider EIZ programme is still planned for later in 2026.
What the Funding Will Deliver
The skills programme will operate across four core themes identified in the EIZ framework: Business Support, Research & Innovation, Infrastructure and Skills. Specifically, the 2026/27 programme will:
- Deliver over 400 Level 3–7 qualifications in engineering, core sciences, digital and business disciplines
- Provide targeted support to businesses to improve productivity and technology adoption
- Work with colleges and universities to identify sector-specific skills gaps
- Support the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC), which is scheduled to open at Queen’s University Belfast in 2026
The EIZ is designed to run until March 2035, with interventions open to eligible advanced manufacturing companies across all of Northern Ireland, not just Belfast. The programme specifically targets the Photonics and Biotechnology clusters within the broader advanced manufacturing sector.
Ministers and Industry Respond
Dr Archibald emphasised the practical impact of the pilot phase during her visit to Plaswire:
“The skills pilot my Department has delivered has already supported 30 SMEs to develop the skills to support their business and improve productivity. It is great to be here at Plaswire to hear more on the impact this is already having for businesses here.
“This further £2 million investment in advanced manufacturing skills builds on this strong start and ensures more companies right across the north can benefit. It marks the next phase of delivery for the EIZ, with further investments to be brought forward over the coming months as the programme gathers pace.
“This programme is about backing our Advanced Manufacturing sector to grow, innovate and compete. By working with industry, colleges and our partners, we are helping businesses boost productivity and build the skills they need for the future.”
Matthew Patrick, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, framed the investment as evidence of effective intergovernmental working:
“This advanced manufacturing skills pilot, delivered through funding from the UK Government for the Enhanced Investment Zone, is a great example of the UK Government and Northern Ireland Executive working together to support Northern Ireland’s businesses and people.
“This latest investment will help develop essential workforce skills, providing businesses with the skilled employees essential for their success and ensuring that Northern Ireland’s strong advanced manufacturing sector continues to thrive.”
Andrew Billingsley, Founder and CEO of Plaswire, welcomed the focus on practical skills:
“Advanced manufacturing is evolving fast, and the skills investment announced today gives companies like ours the talent pipeline we need to scale. The support we’ve received from Belfast Metropolitan College through the AME Booster has already helped us strengthen our capabilities and boost productivity. Plaswire is a global leader growing rapidly across wind and aviation circularity, and this investment ensures more firms across the north can innovate, compete and create high value jobs.”
Unanswered Questions and Broader Challenges
While the announcement signals movement on the £150 million fund, several details remain unclear. The Department has not specified exactly how many businesses will be supported beyond the 400 qualification places, nor has it published eligibility criteria or application timelines. The “formal launch” promised for later in 2026 will need to clarify how the remaining £148 million will be allocated across tax incentives, infrastructure and further skills interventions.
The funding arrives against a backdrop of chronic skills shortages in Northern Ireland’s manufacturing sector. Research from Manufacturing NI indicates that advanced manufacturing accounts for 35% of manufacturing jobs and 43% of economic output in the sector, yet employers consistently report difficulties recruiting skilled engineers and technicians. The Northern Ireland Audit Office has previously warned of “ongoing limitations affecting performance monitoring” of large skills programmes, raising questions about how success will be measured.
Five questions stakeholders should consider:
- Given previous criticism that the £150 million sat unspent for over a year, what safeguards ensure this £2 million—and subsequent tranches—reach businesses without further bureaucratic delay?
- With 70% of manufacturing jobs located outside Belfast, how will the programme ensure equitable access for rural and peripheral areas?
- How will the Department measure productivity improvements against the £2 million investment, and will data be published transparently?
- Will this skills funding connect directly to the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre opening in 2026, or operate in isolation?
- Given the 10-year lifespan of the EIZ, is £2 million annually for skills sufficient to transform sector productivity, or is this merely a down payment on a much larger need?
What to Watch Next
The Department for the Economy has committed to “further announcements” and the formal EIZ launch later this year. Observers should monitor whether subsequent funding rounds move faster than the initial 16-month planning phase, and whether the programme can demonstrate tangible productivity gains before the next Assembly election cycle.
For businesses seeking to access the skills programme, the Department advises contacting [email protected] or following the Department’s social media channels for updates on application windows.