SKILL UP - The Flexible Skills Fund

Free short-term courses to improve skills

The Skill Up programme funded Department for the Economy aims to provide reskilling and upskilling opportunities to people across the north which will improve their skills, benefitting their employment opportunities and enhancing Northern Ireland’s continuously growing and diversifying economy. The fund is aligned to the Northern Ireland Skills Strategy and will provide learning opportunities reflecting the key objectives outlined within the strategy. It will serve to boost participation in lifelong learning and reduce key skills imbalances in priority economic sectors:

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

Due to high levels of demand applications are considered on a first come first served basis, course applications close once maximum capacity is reached. Applicants must meet all of the Skill Up entry criteria and the specific course entry criteria.

Once the expression of interest form is completed you will be contacted when a space becomes available on your chosen course.

How do I apply?

Details on confirmed Skill Up 2025/2026 courses will be available soon.


Want to find out more?

Please click on the link below to fill out an expression of interest form.

For further course information see below:

Full details on courses running under Skill Up for 2024/25 will be confirmed shortly

Hospitality

CourseDurationDelivery MethodStart DateEnquire
OCN NI Level 2 Award in Tour GuidingTBCOnline

*Applications closed*

OCN NI Level 3 Award in Event managementTBCOnline

*Applications closed*

FDQ Level 2 Award in Food Safety for the Food Industry

2 days

Face to Face Dungannon 6pm-9.30pm

*Applications closed*

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

2 days

Face to Face Dungannon 6pm - 9.30pm

*Applications closed*

Green Skills

Course Title

Duration

Delivery MethodStart DateEnquire
Passivhaus Tradesperson

4 Days

Blended

*Applications closed*

Passive House Designer*

*Fee may be applicable for software

2 WeeksEKN Skills Centre 2 days, 6 days DGN & 2 days online delivery - 9am-5pm

*Applications closed*

Electric & Hybrid Vehicle level 2TBCOnline*Applications closed*
Electric & Hybrid Vehicle level 36 WeeksFace to Face - *Must have achieved L2 Electric & Hybrid Vehicle*Applications closed*
Sustainability and the Green Environment

10 weeks

Online - Evening (Limited spaces available)*Applications closed*

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

*Applications closed*

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

6 Weeks

Online - Evening

*Applications closed*

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

6 Weeks

Online - Evening

*Applications closed*


Level 4 Certificate in Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences and Building Resilience15 Weeks

Blended - Dungannon

*Applications closed*
Level 3 Mindfulness for Children4 Weeks

Online - Evening

*Applications closed*


Level 3 Transition to Playwork12 Weeks

Dungannon 1pm-4pm

*Applications closed*

Advanced Manufacturing Courses

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

*Applications closed*


Level 1 WeldingTBCFace to Face Cookstown

*Applications closed*


Level 2 WeldingTBCFace to Face Cookstown*Applications closed*

Leadership & Management Courses

Course TitleDurationDelivery MethodStart DateEnquire
ILM Level 3 Leadership & Management

6 weeks

Online

*Applications closed*

ILM Level 5 Leadership & Management

4 hrs x 12 weeks

Online

*Applications closed*


ILM Level 3 Award in Leadership & Management - Project Management *Limited spaces left

3 hrs x 8 weeks 12:45pm – 3:45pm

Online

*Applications closed*

Software

Course TitleDurationDelivery MethodStart DateEnquire
BIM/Revit

15 weeks

Online - evening

*Applications closed*
2D AutoCAD

20 weeks

Online - evening

*Applications closed*
Level 2 Cyber Security

3 hrs x 15 weeks

Online - Evening

*Applications closed*
Level 4 Social Media & Digital Marketing (* Limited spaces left)4 hrs x 12 weeks

Online - Evening

*Applications closed*


Level 4 Cyber Security

8 hrs x 16 weeks

Online - 2 evenings

*Applications closed*
Level 4 Data Analytics15 WeeksOnline*Applications closed*
OCN NI Level 3 Level in Artificial Intelligence for Industry

12 weeks

Online*Applications 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 enrollments within the same financial year with any provider and must not be enrolled on more than two courses at the same time.