Labour Market Intelligence and Tools
EPIC Futures NI is developing digital tools to strengthen access to labour market intelligence and support evidence informed decision making across Northern Ireland. These tools bring together data, research, and insights from across the labour market ecosystem to support policymakers, employers, researchers, educators, and communities.
As part of this work, EPIC Futures NI is developing a suite of AI enabled platforms designed to improve how labour market information is accessed, understood, and used.
EPIC Futures NI is developing an AI enabled Labour Market Observatory, which will be available as a pilot platform by September 2026.
The Observatory brings together data, research, and insights from across the labour market ecosystem into one place and uses AI enabled tools to help users explore information more easily. It is designed to support better decision making by policymakers, employers, researchers, educators, and communities.
The Observatory complements existing dashboards and data sources across Northern Ireland. Rather than replacing them, it aims to connect and enhance what already exists by:
* bringing multiple data sources together in one place
* enabling users to ask questions in plain language
* highlighting emerging trends and insights
* supporting more informed planning and policy development
As a pilot platform, the Observatory will continue to evolve through testing, feedback, and collaboration with users across the region. The platform is expected to launch in September 2026.
To receive updates on the launch of the Labour Market Observatory and opportunities to engage with the platform as it develops, join our mailing list.
Through the Phase 2 Policy Commissioning Fund, EPIC Futures NI is supporting the development of a pilot AI Employer Navigator tool, expected to be completed by July 2026.
This tool is designed to help employers more easily identify and navigate the wide range of skills supports, programmes, and workforce development opportunities available across Northern Ireland. By improving access to information, the tool aims to support employer engagement with the skills system and strengthen connections between employers and training provision.
Organisations interested in learning more about the Employer Navigator or exploring opportunities to engage with the tool are encouraged to get in contact with the EPIC Futures NI team.
EPIC Futures NI is also supporting the development of an AI enabled Green Skills tool through the Phase 2 commissioning call.
This pilot work explores how digital tools can help improve understanding of emerging green skills needs and support more informed planning across education, training, and employment systems as Northern Ireland transitions towards a more sustainable economy.
Organisations interested in this work or in exploring collaboration opportunities related to the Green Skills tool are encouraged to get in contact with the EPIC Futures NI team.
The AI Labour Market Observatory is being developed as a shared resource for Northern Ireland. We are inviting researchers, policymakers, and organisations working across the skills and employment landscape to contribute reports, data resources, and relevant publications that could help strengthen the evidence base available through the platform.
If you would like your research or project outputs to be considered for inclusion, please submit details using the link below.
You can also join our mailing list to receive updates on the development of EPIC Futures NI labour market intelligence tools, including the Labour Market Observatory, Employer Navigator, and Green Skills tool.
