Economy Minister visited South West College sites across Tyrone and Fermanagh on Wednesday 4 March 2026. The minister met students, apprentices, staff and employer partners to review skills training, green growth and regional development work.

The college supports almost 2,000 apprentices, with over 600 on higher level programmes up to degree standard while employed. These apprenticeships partner with local employers in engineering, construction, automotive, healthcare and hospitality sectors.

In a robotics lab, the minister met higher education students on the Foundation Degree in Mechatronics and Automation. The college supports over 14,000 learners each year and employs more than 800 staff. It delivers degree-level education locally.

The Green Accelerator Skills Programme formed a key part of the visit. Funded by PEACEPLUS at 9.8 million euro, the programme leads a cross-border group to deliver 50 green skills courses in construction and support 2,000 participants for workforce decarbonisation and productivity.

The minister met students in Youthscape+, Skills for Life and Work, and Step Up programmes. These support unemployed or economically inactive people facing barriers to education and employment, with mentoring, training and pathways to further study or work.

The visit concluded at a workshop on healthy relationships and challenging harmful behaviour. The minister referred to the Executive's framework to end violence against women and girls. The minister commended young people's efforts to promote change.