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

24/09/2025

Click here
OCN NI Level 3 Award in Event management

17 Weeks

TBC

16/09/2025

Click here
FDQ Level 2 Award in Food Safety for the Food Industry

3 Weeks

Face to Face Dungannon 6pm-9.30pm

11/10/2025

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

2 Weeks

Face to Face Dungannon 6pm - 9.30pm

16/02/2026

Click here

Green Skills

Course Title

Duration

Delivery MethodStart DateEnquire
Electric & Hybrid Vehicle level 2TBCOnline*2025 start dates coming soon*Click here
Electric & Hybrid Vehicle level 3*

*Must have achieved L2 Electric & Hybrid Vehicle

6 WeeksFace to Face*2025 start dates coming soon*Click here

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

*2025 start dates coming soon*

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

6 Weeks

Online - Evening

*2025 start dates coming soon*

Click here

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

6 Weeks

Online - Evening

*2025 start dates coming soon*

Click here
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 Children4 Weeks

Online - Evening

*2025 start dates coming soon*

Click here
Level 3 Transition to Playwork12 Weeks

Dungannon 1pm-4pm

*2025 start dates coming soon*Click here
OCN NI Level 2 Award in Awareness of Loneliness

TBC

TBCTBCClick here
OCN NI Level 2 Award in Principles of Cognitive Behavioural TherapyTBCTBCTBCClick here

Advanced Manufacturing

Course TitleDurationDelivery MethodStart DateEnquire
ETCAL Level 2 Preparing and Using Industrial RobotsTBCFace to Face Cookstown

*2025 start date coming soon*

Click here
Level 1 WeldingTBCFace to Face Cookstown

*2025 start date coming soon*

Click here
Level 2 WeldingTBCFace to Face Cookstown*2025 start date coming soon*Click here

Leadership & Management

Course TitleDurationDelivery MethodStart DateEnquire
ILM Level 3 Leadership & Management

6 weeks -6pm-9pm

Online

18/09/2025

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

03/09/2025

Click here
ILM Level 3 Award in Leadership & Management - Project Management

3 hrs x 8 weeks 12:45pm – 3:45pm

Online

*2025 start date coming soon*Click here

Software

Course TitleDurationDelivery Method

Start Date

Enquire
BIM/Revit

15 weeks

Online - evening

*2025 start date coming soon*Click here
2D AutoCAD

20 weeks

Online - evening

*2025 start date coming soon*Click here
Level 2 Cyber Security

3 hrs x 15 weeks

Online - Evening

*2025 start date coming soon*Click here
Level 4 Social Media & Digital Marketing4 hrs x 12 weeks

Online - Evening

04/09/2025Click here
Level 4 Cyber Security*

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

8 hrs x 16 weeks

Online - 2 evenings

*2025 start date coming soon*Click here
Level 4 Data Analytics*

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

15 WeeksOnline*2025 start date coming soon*Click here
OCN NI Level 3 Level in Artificial Intelligence for Industry12 weekOnline*2025 start date coming soon*Click here
Cisco - CCST- NetworkingTBCTBC*2025 start date coming soon*Click here
Cisco - CCST- Cyber SecurityTBCTBC*2025 start date coming soon*Click here
Cisco - Digital Safety and Security AwarenessTBCTBC*2025 start date coming soon*Click here
Cisco - Ethical HackerTBCTBC*2025 start date coming soon*Click here
Cisco - Introduction to Cyber SecurityTBCTBC*2025 start date coming soon*Click here
Cisco - Introduction to Modern AITBCTBC*2025 start date coming soon*Click here
Cisco/ Python Institute - PythonTBCTBC*2025 start date coming soon*Click here

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!