16-18 Legislation

The Education Minister, Paul Givan MLA today launched a consultation on legislation which will provide for all learners to participate in education, apprenticeship or training until age 18.

The consultation will run from 14 April to 4 July 2025 and can be accessed here together with a Child and Young Person’s version here.  PDF versions of the consultation documents are also available here. An Irish Language version of the consultation for Children and Young People can be found here. An Irish Language version of the guidance for teachers and youth workers can be found here.

Copies of the Equality Impact Assessment, Rural Needs Impact Assessment, and Children's Rights Impact Assessment are also available. A Children and Young People’s summary of the Equality Impact Assessment can be found here.

The Minister said “Research shows that investment in education can deliver a better future for all. If sufficient investment is made in the right areas at the right time, the vision is that it will provide a seamless lifelong education journey that inspires the learner to develop skills, abilities and talents and celebrates each success. Young people will receive integrated care and education from their earliest years. Learners will be equipped to contribute fully to the economy. There will be early and effective support for those who need it, when they need it. Whilst opportunities to re-skill will be available when necessary, by reducing the requirement for longer-term interventions at a later stage, additional costs can be avoided and potential barriers for learners can be decreased”.

The proposed legislation will encourage all young people to recognise the benefits of lifelong learning. This could include education in school, a Further Education college, employment, apprenticeship, training or volunteering which enables young people to progress, attain and succeed.

The Minister said “I encourage all those with an interest in this important area to contribute to the consultation. I am particularly interested in the views of young people”.

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On 21 October 2024, the Minister of Education, Paul Givan MLA set out his response to the Report of the Independent Panel’s review of education in Northern Ireland.

A key cornerstone of this work is the Minister’s commitment to, subject to Executive agreement, legislate to ensure that all children remain in education or training until they are 18 years old. The Minister’s statement in October said:

“Participation in education beyond the age of 16 directly impacts on young people's life chances. Regrettably, a young person's background remains a key factor in whether they progress to post-16 education. Compulsory education or training ending at 16 is a remnant of a manufacturing society with many unskilled jobs that no longer exist”.

In a modern economy, we need a workforce with high levels of skill and education. By mandating education or training until 18, The Minister wants to create a minimum offer for all young people, particularly those who are most vulnerable and ensure that they have equity of opportunity and a structured pathway of support and guidance.

The Minister has therefore tasked officials to begin engaging with key stakeholders to develop the policy that will underpin the legislative change.

Updates will be provided as this work is progressed.