Skills investment critical to chemistry as report reveals £1.5bn contribution to Northern Ireland’s economy

Chemistry contributed £1.5bn to the Northern Irish economy in 2023, with new analysis showing its central role in driving growth, jobs and innovation across towns, cities and regions throughout Northern Ireland and the UK. However, the report warns that pressures on higher education and skills pipelines risk access to the talent needed to deliver growth, as universities play a critical role in supplying talent, supporting businesses and contributing to regional innovation ecosystems.