The Health, Wellbeing and Future of Technology & Design in Northern Ireland
Research ReportAbstract
This report examines the current position and future development of Technology and Design (T&D) within the Northern Ireland education system. Drawing on evidence presented at a sectoral conference hosted by Stranmillis University College in June 2025, alongside research literature and engagement with teachers, schools and stakeholders, the study explores the role of Technology and Design in supporting skills development, economic growth and workforce readiness.
The findings highlight the subject’s unique capacity to develop creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, while providing pathways into key sectors including the trades, engineering and advanced manufacturing. However, the analysis identifies several structural challenges affecting the subject, including uncertainty surrounding its identity within the curriculum, uneven access to resources across schools, limited recognition of the subject’s academic and vocational value, and persistent gender imbalances in participation.
Evidence gathered from educators also highlights concerns regarding the supply of newly qualified teachers and the need for clearer curriculum frameworks and assessment approaches. The report identifies Project-Based Learning (PBL) as a potential mechanism for strengthening coherence within the subject and aligning classroom practice with the transversal skills increasingly required by employers.
The report concludes that Technology and Design has significant potential to contribute to Northern Ireland’s future skills pipeline and economic development. It calls for renewed policy attention to the subject’s curriculum identity, assessment models and links with industry to ensure that its educational and economic value is fully realised.
