How it works
The assured skills programme offers pre-employment training to give you the skills needed to compete for new employment opportunities.
It works with global companies that have current job vacancies available and offers training specifically tailored to meet the skills needed for those jobs.
If you successfully complete an assured skills academy training programme, you will be offered a job interview with the recruiting company.
Current opportunities
The training academy below is open for applications.
Cyber Security Academy
If you're interested in working in the cyber security sector, training and employment opportunities are now available.
The nine-week training academy, delivered by the Department for Economy in partnership with Belfast Metropolitan College, Novosco and Neueda, will take place at Belfast Metropolitan College e3 campus.
It will give you the opportunity to gain industry recognised qualifications and the skills and knowledge to take up entry-level cyber security roles in Novosco or Neueda.
This will include working in the testing of customers' systems to identify potential security weaknesses; interpreting reports and assessing security and potential areas of threat or risk.
If you successfully complete the training, you will be offered interviews with Novosco and Neueda.
Eligibility
To take part in the academy, you must:
- be over 18
- be eligible to work in the UK
- have a foundation degree, HND or level 5 qualification in any discipline
- have an interest in technology and cyber security
- be able to learn quickly
Applying to the Cyber Security Academy
Apply online at Cyber Security Academy by 12.00 noon on 26 April.
The selection process will include an online aptitude test and an interview.
You must be available for interview week commencing 29 April. The training will start on 28 May.
EOS IT Solutions Academy
If you're interested in learning about the latest innovative technologies, training opportunities are now available.
The six-week training academy in Southern Regional College, Newry Campus, will give you the practical knowledge and experience to work with global market leading clients and learn about the latest innovative technologies.
If you successfully finish the training, job opportunities will be available in:
- networking
- logistics
- broadcasting
- audio visual
- procurement
- sound engineering
- field engineering
- design
Eligibility
You don't need any experience to apply.
The academy is open to applicants with a foundation degree/HND or level 5 qualification in any discipline. Your application will also be considered if you have a recognised level 3 qualification in any of the following disciplines:
- IT
- electrical
- electronics
Applying to the EOS IT Solution Academy
Apply online at EOS IT Solution Academy by 26 April.
Register your interest
To receive updates on new academy opportunities or to find out more about the assured skills training programme, contact the Department for the Economy – Employer Skills Branch.
Jobs secured through previous academies
Previous graduates who have taken part in academies have secured full-time jobs in diverse areas such as:
- data analytics
- human resources
- financial services
- legal services
- export sales and marketing
- software development
- software testing
- software engineering
- cyber security
- 2D animation
- game development
Your existing qualifications are important but, whatever your vocational area, the companies involved in the training programmes want employees with the drive and determination to succeed and a positive attitude to take on new challenges.
Training allowances
When you're in a training academy, you:
- will receive a weekly training allowance of £150
- will be reimbursed weekly travel expenses
- may be eligible for child care allowance
Privacy notice
To find out how your information will be managed, you can view the privacy notice for Assured Skills.
Assured skills training academy video
To learn how a training academy can help graduates, watch the Assured skills video.