Northern Ireland Key facts

Key facts Population 1.76 million –Fastest growing population in the UK –Europes youngest population 60% under the age of 40 Travel to work population –Belfast 700,000 + –Derry 300,000 + Unemployment 6% Latest Northern Ireland economic overview: index/deti-stats-index-2.htm

Working age population in Northern Ireland Age bandNumber of people , , , , , , , , , ,369 Total1,110,443 Source: NISRA, March 2010

Employee jobs – September 2009 Industry Section (SIC 2007) No of people employed Agriculture, forestry and fishing12,360 Mining and quarrying1,770 Manufacturing74,090 Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply2,190 Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities 4,460 Construction35,840 Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motor cycles124,760 Transport and storage24,840 Accommodation and food service activities41,310

Source: NISRA, March 2010 Employee jobs – September 2009 (continued) Industry Section (SIC 2007) No of people employed Information and communication15,410 Financial and insurance activities18,530 Real Estate Activities6,210 Professional, scientific and technical activities23,690 Administrative and support service activities38,250 Public administration and defence: compulsory social security58,900 Education71,170 Human health and social work activities117,140 Arts, entertainment and recreation13,760 Other service activities13,170 Total697,870

Investors who have benefited from setting up in Northern Ireland

Highly educated and skilled workforce

Education and skills – GCSE results In 2009, 75% of Northern Ireland students achieved Grades A* - C compared to the UK average of 67%

Education and skills – A and AS Level results In 2009, 35% of Northern Ireland students achieved A Grade compared to the UK average of 27%

Further & higher education World-renowned universities, working closely with industry: Queens University Belfast Member of The Russell Group University of Ulster Awarded Excellent (perfect score) by HE Quality Assurance Agency 6 Major Further Education Colleges Specialising in vocational education, including Belfast Metropolitan College Awarded Excellent (perfect score) by HE Quality Assurance Agency

Skills initiatives The opportunity for companies, government and academia to collaborate in designing bespoke training programmes ensures a continuous pipeline of skilled and relevant talent in Northern Ireland. Advanced Diploma in Contact Centre Management This one-year part-time programme has been developed by Invest NI, in conjunction with Parity and the University of Ulster, for those wanting to work in management roles within a business services centre. The Academy of Finance This two year programme is offered by Belfast Metropolitan College and is part of the Career Academies UK. The course combines academic modules with work placement, mentoring and support for students aged 16 and over. Abbey School Leaver Programme This initiative has been launched by Abbey, with support from Invest Northern Ireland and will target new Abbey employees, primarily school leavers, helping to develop their financial services skills through a four-year structured career progression programme. The programme has been developed in partnership with the Chartered Institute of Banking and will result in Abbey staff receiving a formally recognised financial services qualification, as well as Chartered Banker Status.

Students at Northern Ireland universities 2008 / 2009 SubjectNo. of students Computer Science2,420 Engineering & Technology2,872 Economics & Maths658 Business & Administration6,964 Languages442 Law2213 TOTAL13,391 Source: HESA, March 2010

Enrolments at Northern Ireland FE colleges 2008 / 2009 SubjectNo. of students Science & Mathematics8,294 ICT12,905 Languages, Literature & Culture13,510 Business Administration & Law11,713 TOTAL46,422 Source: DEL, March 2010

Accounting skills The following accounting professional bodies have active members in NI Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland, Ulster Society [ACA] Association of Chartered Certified Accountants [ACCA] Institute of Accounting Technicians Ireland [IATI] Chartered Institute of Management Accountants [CIMA] Professional bodies memberships for Northern Ireland: ACAACCAIATICIMATotal

Cost of living

Northern Ireland will be among the first to operate and experience high speed, next generation services with a new 40-gigabyte per second transatlantic and terrestrial telecommunications link between Northern Ireland, North America and Europe. This will provide a secure, reliable service and deliver prices up to 20% below those in London, Dublin, Manchester and Glasgow. Connectivity National & International

Flight connections within the British Isles Destination Number of flights per week Glasgow63 Edinburgh36 Jersey18 Leeds/Bradford26 Birmingham38 Manchester46 Cardiff14 London Gatwick47 London Heathrow75 London Stansted54 London Luton28 Isle of Man30 Cork11 Dublin14

International Air Connections from Northern Ireland