Workplus is running two major early talent surveys this summer: Apprentice Pulse and Employer Pulse.
The surveys, both supported by NIE Networks, will build on previous research carried out and aim to provide a stronger evidence base on early talent, apprenticeships and workforce development in Northern Ireland.
The findings of the surveys will be launched at NI Chamber’s Future Workforce Summit in October.
The research will capture the views of both apprentices and employers, helping to identify what is working well, where the system remains difficult to navigate, and what support is needed to help more businesses invest in early talent.
The 2026 Apprentice Pulse will retain core questions on finding an apprenticeship, employer experience, learning provider experience, mentoring, pay, working patterns and future confidence. New areas of focus will include the use of AI and technology in day-to-day work, confidence in digital skills, exposure to sustainability and green skills, perceived gaps in training, and whether apprentices feel prepared for future labour market changes.
The 2026 Employer Pulse will move beyond broad return-on-investment questions to examine how apprenticeships contribute to productivity, business outcomes and workforce transformation.
The research will also explore the wider early talent environment, including whether employers are reducing or reshaping entry-level roles because of AI, whether apprenticeships are becoming more important as graduate pathways change, what support is needed to make early talent programmes work more effectively, what skills employers believe will be most important over the next three to five years, and whether current apprenticeship frameworks are keeping pace with industry need.
Richard Kirk, Founder and CEO of Workplus, said: “Apprenticeships and early talent programmes have a vital role to play in Northern Ireland’s future workforce. The 2025 research showed clear evidence of the value apprenticeships create for both employers and apprentices, but it also highlighted areas where the system can be improved.
“Our aim for 2026 is to build on that evidence, listen carefully to employers and apprentices, and provide practical insights that can shape policy, improve employer practice and support future investment in early talent.”
Julie Henderson, Senior HR Business Partner, from NIE Networks said: “Supporting the development of Northern Ireland’s future workforce is hugely important to us at NIE Networks and more widely for the future of Northern Ireland. We are pleased to partner with Workplus on this research, which will help provide a clearer understanding of the value of apprenticeships and the support employers and apprentices need to succeed.
Having significantly invested and developed our Investors in People Platinum award winning Apprentice Academy over the last 50 years, we understand the value that can be delivered through apprenticeship pipelines. We are proud to be working towards the Department for Economy’s Green Skills delivery programme, with approximately 58,000 jobs in the green skills sector predicted over the next 10 years, it is imperative we understand the future workforce landscape. The outputs from the 2026 surveys will provide policymakers with a credible, employer-led and apprentice-informed evidence base.
The findings will help identify what is working, where the system remains difficult to navigate, what support employers need to expand provision, and how early talent programmes can play a greater role in Northern Ireland’s future workforce strategy.”
The surveys can be completed by visiting here or www.workplus.app.