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Skills for Life and Work

Level 1
Full-Time
26/27
Skillsforlife

Overview

Skills for Life and Work is a vocational training programme designed specifically for school leavers. Aimed at post-GCSE students, this programme offers the opportunity to gain qualifications and hands-on training in a vocational area of your choice.

Alongside your chosen vocational path, you’ll also develop essential skills, grow personally, and build employability through tailored support and guidance.

This programme is all about giving you the space to learn, grow, and succeed. Whether your next step is employment, further education, or an apprenticeship, the Skills for Life and Work programme equips you with the tools and confidence to move forward.

You’ll benefit from:

  • Recognised qualifications
  • Practical, hands-on experience
  • Development of key personal and employability skills
  • A supportive environment where you can meet new friends and grow at your own pace

With a focus on your future, this programme opens doors to a wide range of opportunities. It’s not just about learning a trade—it’s about building a foundation for life.

Getting to know you better

To help understand your individual needs better we need you to fill in a short online form that may assist you during your time at SWC. If you have any additional needs that we need to be made aware of please fill in the form below.

I have additional needs

If you have any questions about this or the programme, please contact:Emma O'Neill - 07708152876 Emma.ONeill@swc.ac.uk

Course Level Contact: Emma O'Neill - 07708152876 Emma.ONeill@swc.ac.uk

As part of the Skills for Life and Work programme, you’ll work towards a range of valuable qualifications and experiences, including:

  • Vocational Qualification
    Explore a variety of occupational areas through a flexible qualification that allows you to sample different vocational paths.
  • Employability and Personal Development Qualifications
    Build confidence, improve your communication skills, and get prepared for the world of work or further study.
  • Essential Skills
    Develop key skills in Literacy, Numeracy, and ICT, helping you succeed in both life and work.

Work Placement / College Projects

Gain real-world experience through work placements or hands-on college projects that put your learning into practice. By taking part in the Skills for Life and Work programme, you’ll benefit from a range of opportunities designed to support your learning, personal growth, and future career. Here’s what you can look forward to:

  • Gain Accredited Qualifications
    Choose from a wide range of courses, including core subjects like Maths, English, and ICT, all designed to boost your skills and confidence.
  • Earn While You Learn
    Receive a £40 weekly training allowance while you train, plus the chance to earn up to £360 in student bonuses throughout the programme.
  • Get Personalised Support
    Our friendly tutors and student support teams offer one-to-one guidance, careers advice, and help tailored to your goals.
  • Access Financial Help We can help with travel expenses, paid holidays, so you can focus on your future.
  • Join Student Life Take part in a vibrant student community through clubs, societies, and activities that make your experience even more rewarding.

Modules

All modules are carefully tailored to meet the individual needs, interests, and goals of each participant, ensuring a personalised and supportive learning experience that sets you up for success.

At Skills for Life and Work, your learning is designed around you.

All modules are carefully tailored to meet the individual needs, interests, and goals of each participant, ensuring a personalised and supportive experience that helps you thrive.

You’ll select modules from a wide range of occupational areas, with your learning pathway shaped by your aspirations, strengths, and future career goals. Our team will work closely with you to ensure you’re on the right track from day one.

Dungannon

  • Business Administration and Retail
  • Catering Hospitality and Customer Service
  • Childcare and Health and Social Care
  • Construction
  • Engineering
  • Hair and Beauty
  • Joinery
  • Media and IT
  • Motor Vehicle

Erne

  • Catering Hospitality and Customer Service
  • Media and IT
  • Childcare and Health and Social Care

Enniskillen Skills Centre

  • Construction
  • Joinery
  • Motor Vehicle

Omagh

  • Business Administration and Retail
  • Childcare and Health and Social Care
  • Construction
  • Hair and Beauty
  • Media and IT
  • Motor Vehicle

There are no formal entry requirements to join the Skills for Life and Work programme, but certain criteria must be met.

You may be eligible if:

  • You have not yet achieved a 'full Level 1' qualification, defined by the Department as:
  • Four GCSEs at grades D–G, including English and Maths at grades D–F, or an equivalent qualification.
  • If you have already achieved a full Level 1, you will normally be directed towards the NI Traineeship programme instead.

This programme is primarily designed for 16–17-year-olds, but extended eligibility applies in the following cases:

  • Up to age 22 for young people with a disability
  • Up to age 25 for care-experienced young people

To join the programme, a Training Credit from the Careers Service is required. Please speak to a member of our Training Organisation team for further advice and guidance on how to apply.

Assessment on the Skills for Life and Work programme is designed to support your learning style and individual needs:

  • Vocational and Personal Development Units

Assessed through a combination of practical and theoretical tasks, tailored to suit your level and learning goals.

  • Essential Skills – Literacy and Numeracy

These are assessed through a blend of coursework and formal examinations, ensuring you gain recognised qualifications in core subjects.

Successfully completing the Skills for Life and Work programme can open the door to your next step. You’ll be well-prepared to progress to a Level 2 Traineeship or Apprenticeship in your chosen occupational area, subject to meeting course eligibility requirements.

This programme is designed to give you the skills, confidence, and experience needed to move forward with your career or further education.

As part of this course, you will be required to complete an Enhanced Access NI check. Depending on your specific placement, this may also include checks against the Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists to ensure suitability for working with vulnerable groups.

Attendance for the Skills for Life and Work programme ranges from 24 to 30 hours per week. This includes time spent both in training sessions and on work placements.

We understand that individual circumstances vary, so reduced attendance may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

4 Available Sessions

* The fees quoted are per annum and are payable for each year of the course’s duration and are subject to additional examination fees as per fees policy.

Dungannon

Full-Time

P1898DF10A

Session Code

2 Year(s)

Duration

Apprenticeships

Mode of Study

24

Hours per Week

34

Number of Weeks

Interview Required

26/27

Academic Year

01/09/2026

Start Date

Subject to Timetable

Day/s

David.Taylor@swc.ac.uk

Coordinator(s)

Total Annual Fee N/A

Total Concessionary Fee N/A

Full Fee Breakdown

**Concession Fee Breakdown

Fees Payable Each Year

**Am I eligible for concessionary fees?

Enniskillen (Tech & Skills)

Full-Time

P1898EF10A

Session Code

2 Year(s)

Duration

Apprenticeships

Mode of Study

24

Hours per Week

34

Number of Weeks

Interview Required

26/27

Academic Year

01/09/2026

Start Date

Subject to Timetable

Day/s

David.Taylor@swc.ac.uk

Coordinator(s)

Total Annual Fee N/A

Total Concessionary Fee N/A

Full Fee Breakdown

**Concession Fee Breakdown

Fees Payable Each Year

**Am I eligible for concessionary fees?

Enniskillen

Full-Time

P1898EF10B

Session Code

2 Year(s)

Duration

Apprenticeships

Mode of Study

24

Hours per Week

34

Number of Weeks

Interview Required

26/27

Academic Year

01/09/2026

Start Date

Subject to Timetable

Day/s

David.Taylor@swc.ac.uk

Coordinator(s)

Total Annual Fee N/A

Total Concessionary Fee N/A

Full Fee Breakdown

**Concession Fee Breakdown

Fees Payable Each Year

**Am I eligible for concessionary fees?

Omagh

Full-Time

P1898OF10A

Session Code

2 Year(s)

Duration

Apprenticeships

Mode of Study

24

Hours per Week

34

Number of Weeks

Interview Required

26/27

Academic Year

01/09/2026

Start Date

Subject to Timetable

Day/s

David.Taylor@swc.ac.uk

Coordinator(s)

Total Annual Fee N/A

Total Concessionary Fee N/A

Full Fee Breakdown

**Concession Fee Breakdown

Fees Payable Each Year

**Am I eligible for concessionary fees?

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