South West College (SWC) is now enrolling for new fully-funded ‘Hospitality and Welding Academies’ in the Fermanagh and Omagh district to help reskill those looking for work.

The initiative is funded by the Department for Communities and is being delivered in partnership with the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and the Interim Fermanagh and Omagh Labour Market Partnership to support the recovery of specific local employment issues by closing the gap between employer needs and the shortage of skilled labour.

South West College is collaborating to improve employability outcomes in key growth areas and will deliver a free 10-day Welding Academy, starting in the SWC Enniskillen and Cookstown campuses and a free 12-day Hospitality Academy, beginning at the SWC Enniskillen campus.

For those living within the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council areas that are not currently in employment and are seeking to return to work, the fully-funded academies are an opportunity to gain industry-recognised qualifications and training, as well as support with CV writing and interview skills. Participants can also expect to receive subsistence payments, including travel and childcare, with up to £300 available on completion of the programme.

Encouraging participants to avail of the excellent opportunity, Ciaran McManus, Assistant Chief Executive of South West College, said:

“South West College is committed to working in partnership with the local industry to design and deliver high-quality training interventions which prepare participants to take up employment in the engineering, manufacturing and hospitality sector.”

Applications are now open with limited spaces, and to find out more and to apply. For welding enquiries please contact Rebecca.Hamilton@swc.ac.uk and for hospitality enquiries please contact una.dunlop@swc.ac.uk or visit www.swc.ac.uk.