SKILL UP

Free short-term courses to improve skills

The Skill Up programme, funded by the Department for the Economy, offers reskilling and upskilling opportunities across Northern Ireland to improve employability and support the region’s growing, diversifying economy. Aligned with the Northern Ireland Skills Strategy, the fund provides learning that addresses its key objectives, promotes lifelong learning, and tackles skills gaps in priority sectors:

  • Advanced Manufacturing, Materials & Engineering
  • Childcare, Health & Social Care
  • FinTech & Financial Services
  • Green Skills
  • Hospitality & Tourism
  • Software & Digital
  • Other Transversal Skills

Due to high demand, expressions of interest are processed on a first-come, first-served basis and close once capacity is reached. Applicants must meet both Skill Up and specific course entry criteria. You will be contacted by email if a place becomes available on your chosen course.

How do I apply?

Scroll down to see the list of 2025/26 Skill Up courses or CLICK HERE TO EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST TODAY!


For further course information see below:


Hospitality

CourseDurationDelivery MethodStart DateEnquire
OCN NI Level 2 Award in Tour Guiding

8 Weeks

TBC

TBC

OCN NI Level 3 Award in Event management

15 Weeks

Online

TBC


FDQ Level 2 Award in Food Safety for the Food Industry

3 Weeks

Face to Face Dungannon 6pm-9.30pm

TBC

FDQ Level 2 Award in Principles of Food Allergen Awareness and Control

2 Weeks

Face to Face Dungannon 6pm - 9.30pm

TBC

Green Skills

Course Title

Duration

Delivery MethodStart DateEnquire
Electric & Hybrid Vehicle level 2

6 weeks

OnlineTBC
Electric & Hybrid Vehicle level 3*

*Must have achieved L2 Electric & Hybrid Vehicle

6 WeeksFace to FaceTBC

Health & Social Care / Childcare

Course Title

Duration

Delivery Method

DatesEnquire
OCN NI Level 2 An Introduction to Mindfulness and Reducing Anxiety in Children

4 Weeks

Online - Evening

TBC

OCN NI Level 3 Award in Working with Children and Young People with Special Needs

8 Weeks

Online - Evening

TBC

OCN NI Level 2 Managing Challenging Behaviour in Children and Young People

4 Weeks

Online - Evening

TBC

Level 4 Certificate in Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences and Building Resilience*

(*Entry criteria - Participants must have relevant Early Years experience)

15 Weeks

Online - Evening

TBC
Level 3 Mindfulness for Children6 Weeks

Online - Evening

TBC

Level 3 Transition to Playwork

(*Entry criteria - Participants must have achieved L3 CCLD)

12 Weeks

Dungannon TBC

TBC
OCN NI Level 2 Award in Awareness of Loneliness

TBC

TBCTBC
OCN NI Level 2 Award in Principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy10 weeks

Online -7pm-9pm

TBC

Advanced Manufacturing

Course TitleDurationDelivery MethodStart DateEnquire
Level 2 RoboticsTBCFace to Face Cookstown

TBC


Level 1 WeldingTBCFace to Face Cookstown

TBC


Level 2 WeldingTBCFace to Face CookstownTBC

Leadership & Management

Course TitleDurationDelivery MethodStart DateEnquire
ILM Level 3 Leadership & Management

8 weeks -6pm-9pm

Online

TBC


ILM Level 5 Leadership & Management*
(*Participants should be practicing or aspiring middle managers. Holders of a Level 3 Award in Leadership & Management will be considered.)

4 hrs x 12 weeks - 5.30pm-9.30pm

Online

TBC

ILM Level 3 Award in Leadership & Management - Project Management

Wednesday 3 hrs x 8 weeks 12:30pm – 3:30pm

Online

TBC


Software

Course TitleDurationDelivery Method

Start Date

Enquire
BIM/Revit

15 weeks

Online -*first 2 weeks face to face Dungannon

TBC
2D AutoCAD

20 weeks

Online -*first 2 weeks face to face Dungannon

TBC

Level 2 Cyber Security

Monday 3 hrs x 15 weeks

Online - Evening First night face to face Dungannon

TBC




Level 4 Cyber Security*

(*Entry criteria - Participants must have a Level 3 qualification in IT)

8 hrs x 16 weeks

Online - 2 evenings Tuesday & Wednesday

TBC
Level 4 Data Analytics*

(*Entry criteria - Participants must have a Level 3 qualification in IT)

15 WeeksOnline - Wednesday 1pm-5pmTBC
OCN NI Level 3 Level in Artificial Intelligence for Industry12 weekOnlineTBC
Cisco - CCST- Networking

4 hrs x 15 weeks

Online

TBC
Cisco - CCST- Cyber SecurityTBCTBCTBC
Cisco - Digital Safety and Security AwarenessTBCTBCTBC
Cisco - Ethical HackerTBCTBCTBC
Cisco - Introduction to Cyber SecurityTBCTBCTBC
Cisco - Introduction to Modern AITBCTBCTBC
Cisco/ Python Institute - Python4 hrs x 15 weeks

Online

TBC

Eligibility


Applicants must meet all of the following criteria :

  • Applicants to be 18 years or older at point of enrolment
  • Applicants must have a right to work and undertake training in the UK at the point of application and for the duration of the course and must not be disqualified from doing either by reason of their immigration status. Proof of this will be required to progress application. Prove your right to work to an employer.
  • Individuals must be available to register in person on campus as required
  • Individual courses may have enhanced eligibility

Individuals must declare any other Skill Up course enrolments within the same financial year with any provider and must not be enrolled on more than two courses at the same time.

Click below to express your interest today

Express your interest in Skill Up today!