To ask the Minister of Education to detail any actions he has taken to ensure more pupils have access to pre-vocational, and technical, education.

Pupils in key stage 4 and post-16 are entitled to have access to both general and applied qualifications. Under the Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2006, provision is made which requires the Board of Governors of a grant-aided school to provide access to twenty-one qualifying courses of which not fewer than one third should be applied (vocational) courses and not fewer than one third shall be general (academic) courses.

A “qualifying course” is a course of study which leads to an external qualification and the Board of Governors of a grant-aided school can provide access to qualifying courses either in their school or through collaboration with another provider.

A list of approved courses is maintained by the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment and this provides a good mix of both applied and general courses for pupils. My Department continues to work with the Department for the Economy on the actions contained within the 14-19 Framework. This includes consideration of how more effective collaboration can be achieved between schools, colleges and training providers.

High quality careers education and advice are also important in ensuring learners are aware of pathways and qualifications available to them. Young people are supported through independent, impartial information and guidance about the range of pathways, including those vocational and technical routes available to them. My officials are working with colleagues in the Department for the Economy to implement several actions that will increase opportunities for work-related learning and engagement with employers for both learners and their teachers.