Almost £200m to fund 20,000 traineeships in Northern Ireland

By Q Radio News

Almost £200m has been allocated to a new vocational education programme for over 16s. 

The economy minister says it will pay for around 20,000 NI Traineeship places over the next seven years.   

The scheme has been developed in partnership with employers and combines classroom learning - delivered by the six further education colleges here - with work-based training. 

Almost £200m has been allocated to a new vocational education programme for over 16s.https://t.co/l4nWi1tWvk

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) June 28, 2021

Paul Frew hopes the move will help rebuild the post-pandemic economy by addressing a future skills deficit. 

Delivered by the six further education colleges, the NI Traineeship is available in a broad range of employment areas from engineering to retail, hairdressing to joinery, with support for work-based learning being provided by local employers.

Speaking after visiting Northern Regional College’s Farm Lodge campus in Ballymena, the Minister said: “I am delighted to announce the NI Traineeship Programme. Training the Northern Ireland workforce is essential in rebuilding the post-pandemic economy and in addressing a future skills deficit. That is why my Department is investing around £180million to fund 20,000 Traineeships over the next seven years – a real step-change in vocational training.

“Traineeships will provide an excellent opportunity for those who are not in employment to gain a Level 2 qualification that can unlock their chosen career path, or set them up to progress to higher levels of education, such as an Apprenticeship.

“Participants on a Traineeship will also learn valuable skills for employment, and the work-based training is the best way to develop wider and transferable skills that are so vital in the world of work.

“This is a fantastic and accessible new route to learning and I urge anyone who is interested and eligible to look at the wide range of training options available through the local FE colleges.”

The Minister added: “This investment is part-funded through my Department’s Economic Recovery Action Plan, underlining how skills development and vocational training will be a key element of our recovery from the pandemic.”

Ken Webb, Chair of the FE Colleges Principals’ Group said: “The Traineeship is an exciting opportunity for any person seeking to skill up in their chosen vocation while also working and gaining crucial practical knowledge, and we are thrilled to see even more courses opening up for learners across Northern Ireland.

“Now more than ever, people are weighing their options and looking for careers that work for them and that offer long-term opportunities and the chance to progress. Traineeships provide learners with high-quality vocational education and training programmes, while also pairing up students with employers and starting that crucial working relationship that often leads to employment.

“The skills gap in Northern Ireland has never been more apparent, and with focus now turning to recovery post-pandemic, it is welcome to see today’s launch by the Minister. The Traineeship will give learners a skilled and learner-focused pathway which will put them on the road to a successful career in their chosen vocation. We would encourage anyone seeking new opportunities to consider a traineeship at your local regional college.”

(Pictured with Economy Minister Paul Frew at Northern Regional College’s Farm Lodge campus in Ballymena are (l-r) Louise Warde Hunter, Belfast Met; William Greer, South Eastern Regional College; Carolyn Davison, Southern Regional College; Christine Brown, Northern Regional College; Christopher Robinson, South West College; and Dr Catherine O’Mullan, North West Regional College.)