For many business owners, decisions about education and training are not only workplace issues. They are also personal, particularly when helping a son, daughter, relative or family friend decide what comes next after school.

Northern Ireland’s Traineeship programme provides a practical route for people who want to develop industry-relevant skills while gaining recognised qualifications and workplace experience.

The new Traineeship Prospectus outlines 36 pathways available across Northern Ireland’s six Further Education colleges. These include construction trades, engineering, automotive, health and social care, childcare, hospitality, hair and beauty, business, IT, sport and the creative industries.

At North West Regional College, available pathways include areas such as:

  • Engineering, Light Vehicle and Vehicle Body Repair
  • Carpentry and Joinery, Brickwork, Plumbing and Tiling
  • Health and Social Care and Childcare
  • Business Administration and IT
  • Professional Chef
  • Hairdressing, Barbering and Beauty Therapy
  • Sport and the creative industries

Traineeships combine classroom learning with practical training, employability development and work-based experience. They are designed to support learners who prefer a more applied approach to education or who are not yet ready to move directly into an apprenticeship.

Successful completion can provide qualifications equivalent to up to five GCSEs at grades A*-C, including English and Maths where completed. Learners can then progress into employment, an apprenticeship or further study at Level 3.

For businesses, Traineeships also provide an opportunity to engage with emerging talent, offer workplace experience and help develop the future skills pipeline.

For parents and families, the key message is that vocational education can provide a clear and structured pathway into skilled employment, further education, apprenticeships and higher-level qualifications.

You can read the full NI Traineeship Prospectus here