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

Course	Duration	Delivery Method	Start Date	Enquire
OCN NI Level 2 Award in Tour Guiding	8 Weeks	TBC	TBC	Click here
OCN NI Level 3 Award in Event management *Limited places left	15 Weeks	Online	7/11/25	Click here
FDQ Level 2 Award in Food Safety for the Food Industry	3 Weeks	Face to Face Dungannon 6pm-9.30pm	TBC	Click here
FDQ Level 2 Award in Principles of Food Allergen Awareness and Control	2 Weeks	Face to Face Dungannon 6pm - 9.30pm	TBC	Click here

Green Skills

Course Title	Duration	Delivery Method	Start Date	Enquire
Electric & Hybrid Vehicle level 2	6 weeks	Online	2026 dates coming soon
Electric & Hybrid Vehicle level 3* *Must have achieved L2 Electric & Hybrid Vehicle	6 Weeks	Face to Face	2026 dates coming soon

Health & Social Care / Childcare

Course Title	Duration	Delivery Method	Dates	Enquire
OCN NI Level 2 An Introduction to Mindfulness and Reducing Anxiety in Children	4 Weeks	Online - Evening	Applications now closed, check back soon for cohort 2
OCN NI Level 3 Award in Working with Children and Young People with Special Needs Limited places left	8 Weeks	Online - Evening	Applications now closed, check back soon for cohort 2
OCN NI Level 2 Managing Challenging Behaviour in Children and Young People Limited places left	4 Weeks	Online - Evening	Applications now closed, check back soon for cohort 2
Level 4 Certificate in Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences and Building Resilience* (Entry criteria - Participants must have relevant industry experience)*	15 Weeks	Blended - Dungannon	2025 start dates coming soon	Click here
Level 3 Mindfulness for Children Limited places left	4 Weeks	Online - Evening	15/01/2025	Click here
Level 3 Transition to Playwork (Entry criteria - Participants must have achieved L3 CCLD)*	12 Weeks	Dungannon TBC	2025 start dates coming soon	Click here
OCN NI Level 2 Award in Awareness of Loneliness	TBC	TBC	TBC	Click here
OCN NI Level 2 Award in Principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Limited places left	10 weeks	Online -7pm-9pm	Applications now closed	Click here

Advanced Manufacturing

Course Title	Duration	Delivery Method	Start Date	Enquire
Level 2 Robotics	TBC	Face to Face Cookstown	7/10/2025	Click here
Level 1 Welding	TBC	Face to Face Cookstown	2025 start date coming soon	Click here
Level 2 Welding	TBC	Face to Face Cookstown	2025 start date coming soon	Click here

Leadership & Management

Course Title	Duration	Delivery Method	Start Date	Enquire
ILM Level 3 Leadership & Management	8 weeks -6pm-9pm	Online	Waiting list in place - 2026 date TBC	Click here
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	Cohort 2 - 27/11/2025	Click here
ILM Level 3 Award in Leadership & Management - Project Management Limited places left	Wednesday 3 hrs x 8 weeks 12:30pm – 3:30pm	Online	28/01/2026	Click here

Software

Course Title	Duration	Delivery Method	Start Date	Enquire
BIM/Revit	15 weeks	Online -*first 2 weeks face to face Dungannon	Applications now closed
2D AutoCAD	20 weeks	Online -*first 2 weeks face to face Dungannon	Applications now closed
Level 2 Cyber Security Limited places left	Monday 3 hrs x 15 weeks	Online - Evening First night face to face Dungannon	Applications now closed
Level 4 Social Media & Digital Marketing	4 hrs x 12 weeks	Online - Evening Wed or Thurs	Reserve List for Cohort 2 - dates TBC	Click here
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	Applications now closed
Level 4 Data Analytics* (Entry criteria - Participants must have a Level 3 qualification in IT)*	15 Weeks	Online - Wednesday 1pm-5pm	TBC - reserve list for next cohort	Click here
OCN NI Level 3 Level in Artificial Intelligence for Industry	12 week	Online	2025 start date coming soon	Click here
Cisco - CCST- Networking Limited places left	4 hrs x 15 weeks	Online	Applications now closed
Cisco - CCST- Cyber Security	TBC	TBC	Applications now closed
Cisco - Digital Safety and Security Awareness	TBC	TBC	Applications now closed
Cisco - Ethical Hacker	TBC	TBC	Applications now closed
Cisco - Introduction to Cyber Security	TBC	TBC	Applications now closed
Cisco - Introduction to Modern AI	TBC	TBC	Applications now closed
Cisco/ Python Institute - Python Limited places left	4 hrs x 15 weeks	Online	Applications now closed

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!

Expression of interest