AI Pathways Navigator: Green Skills Edition - Inclusive Pathways to NI's Net Zero Workforce
Workplus Apprenticeships Ltd
Northern Ireland's transition to a net zero economy requires rapid growth in green skills across construction, energy, transport, and manufacturing. The Green Skills Action Plan (2023-2030) highlights the need for clearer pathways into green careers, better employer engagement, and evidence of "what works" in promoting awareness and uptake.
This project pilots the AI Pathways Navigator: Green Skills Edition, a novel tool designed to make green career routes visible and accessible. Building on IntrinsicAI's technical expertise and Workplus' labour market navigation platform, the Navigator will integrate open datasets (ESCO skills taxonomy, training provision, employer information) into an interactive knowledge graph. An AI-driven pathway recommender will allow users to explore career routes, required competencies, training options, and employer case studies through simple, natural language queries.
The project will be co-designed with employers, training providers, and policymakers to ensure practical relevance. A pilot will test the Navigator with approximately 200 users drawn from existing partner networks, including individuals exploring green roles, SMEs seeking workforce solutions, and careers advisers. Importantly, the Navigator does not collect personal or sensitive data. Evaluation will focus on aggregate, anonymised insights such as the types of pathways most explored, roles generating highest interest, and training opportunities most frequently accessed.
Findings will directly inform the Green Skills Action Plan's Priority Areas 1 (Skills Ecosystem), 3 (Promoting Awareness), and 4 (Developing a Skilled Workforce). Outputs will include the Navigator proof-of-concept, an evaluation report, and a policy briefing for the Department for the Economy and stakeholders.
By connecting people, employers, and policymakers around green skills, this project provides a scalable model for inclusive participation in Northern Ireland's sustainable future and robust evidence of how digital tools can accelerate pathways into good green work.
