Skill Up
If you’re 18 years or older with the right to work, a range of free accredited courses are available through Skill Up.
Skill Up
The Skill Up programme provides reskilling and upskilling opportunities to participants, benefitting their employment opportunities and enhancing Northern Ireland’s continuously growing and diversifying economy.
Open University
Fin-Tech and Financial Services
- Finance for Strategic Decision Making
Green Skills
- Environmental Monitoring and Protection
- Making Environmental Decisions
Software and Digital
- Data Management
- Information Security
- Network Security
- Strategic Capabilities for Technological Innovation
- Technology and Innovation Management
Other Transversal Skills
- Creating and Sustaining Value
- Effective Management in Business and Public Management
- Entrepreneurship in Context
- Managing in a Changing World
- MBA Project: Leaders of Change
- Sustainable Creative Management
For further information on the Skill Up programme at the Open University go to:
Queen’s University Belfast
Advanced Manufacturing, Materials and Engineering
- PG Cert - Operation and Supply Chain Management
- PG Cert - Biopharmaceutical Engineering
Childcare and Health and Social Care
- PG Cert - Nursing Care of the Older Person in Care Home Settings
- PG Cert - Foundations in Clinical Psychology
- Delivering Clinical Trials: From Protocol to Patient
- Social Model for Health and Wellbeing in Primary and Community Care
- Stepping Up to Leadership and Management in General Practice
- Strategic Management and Leadership in Primary Care
Green Skills
- PG Cert - Climate Change
- PG Cert - Engineering of Energy, Economics and the Environment
- PG Cert - Environmental Engineering
- PG Cert - Hydrogen Energy Systems
- PG Cert - Zero Carbon Engineering
Software and Digital
- PG Cert - Audiovisual Post-Production
- PG Cert - Introduction to Games Technologies
- PG Cert - Software Development
- PG Dip - Games Technologies
Other Transversal Skills
- CMI Entrepreneurial Leadership
For further information on the Skill Up programme at the Queen's University Belfast go to:
Ulster University
Advanced Manufacturing, Materials and Engineering
- Design Optimization of Mechanical Systems
- Intelligent Manufacturing
- Process Product Optimisation
Childcare and Health and Social Care
- Clinical Trials Design and Patient Recruitment
- Healthcare Economics and Innovation in Personalised Medicine
- Inclusive and Special Education: Developing and Analysing Practice
- Introduction to Personalised Medicine & Pharmacogenomics
- Molecular and Pharmaceutical Analysis
- Pharmaceutical Analysis
- Pharmacogenomics Informed Prescribing
- Developmental and Mental Health Considerations Across the Lifespan (Assessment, Formulation and Intervention)
- Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine
- Synthetic Biology
Green Skills
- Biodiversity Management
- Energy Management and Green Technologies
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Monitoring
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- GIS Databases
- Hydrogen Safety
- Industrial Biotechnology
- Principles of GIS
- Programming for GIS and Remote Sensing
- Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems
- Introduction to Remote Sensing
- Sustainable Transformation in Practice
- Web-Based GIS
Hospitality and Tourism
- Contemporary Issues in Tourism and Hospitality
- Tourism and Hospitality Principles
Software and Digital
- Coding Skills for Biologists
- Cyber Security
- Data Science and Machine Learning
- Professional Software Development (Architecture and Design)
- Strategic Digital Transformation
Other Transversal Skills
- Embedding Financial Sustainability in FE Practice
- Embedding Numeracy in Further Education Learning
- Improvement Through People
- Innovation Management
- Mini MBA Family Business
- Operational Quality Excellence
- PgCert Executive Leadership
- Quality Management and Process Improvement
For further information on the Skill Up programme at Ulster University go to:
St Mary’s University College
- PG Cert - Enabling Educational Skills Development
For further information on the Skill Up programme at St Mary’s University College go to:
Stranmillis University College
- Postgraduate Certificate - Digital Skills
- Postgraduate Certificate - Leading Skills Development
- Postgraduate Certificate - STEM Education
- Master's Modules - New and Returning students
For further information on the Skill Up programme at Stranmillis University College go to:
Belfast Metropolitan College
Advanced Manufacturing, Materials and Engineering
- Level 2 - City and Guilds Award in Welding Skills
Childcare and Health and Social Care
- Level 2 - CACHE Introductory Awareness of Autistic Spectrum Conditions
- Level 2 - CPCAB Award in Introduction to Counselling Skills
- Level 2 - NOCN Level 2 Award in Meeting the Needs of Learners with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Level 2 - OCN Award in Drug and Alcohol Awareness
- Level 2 - OCN Award in Managing Challenging Behaviour in Children and Young People
- Level 2 - OCN NI Award in Awareness of Mental Health and Well Being
- Level 2 - OCN NI Award in Infant and Child Mental Health and its Impact on Social and Emotional Development
- Level 3 - CACHE Support Individuals with Autistic Conditions
- Level 3 - City and Guilds Award in Transition to Playwork
- Level 3 - NCFE CACHE Award for Special Educational Needs Coordinators in Early Years Settings
- Level 3 - OCN NI Award in Working with Children and Young People with Special Needs
Green Skills
- Level 2 - OCN Certificate in Retrofit Skills for Domestic Building Fabric
Hospitality and Tourism
- Level 2 - Chef Bootcamp
- Level 2 - Get into Hospitality Programme
Software and Digital
- Level 2 - OCN Award in Digital Construction Skills
- Level 2 - OCN Award in Digital Marketing
- Level 3 - BIM 3D Modelling (BIM)
- Level 3 - Building Information Modelling (BIM) Objects
- Level 3 - OCN Award in Digital Construction with Building Information Modelling (BIM)
- Level 3 - OCN NI Award in Creative Arts and Digital Technologies
- Level 3 - OCN NI Award in Professional and Technical Media Production Practices
- Level 4 - Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel 365 Associate
- Level 4 - OCN Award in Social Media and Digital Marketing
- Level 4 - Power BI Data Analyst Associate
Other Transversal Skills
- Level 2 - OCN Award in Mentoring
- Level 3 - ILM Award in Leadership and Management
- Level 3 - ILM Coaching and Mentoring
- Level 5 - ILM Award in Leadership and Management
For further information on the Skill Up at Belfast Metropolitan College go to:
Northern Regional College
Advanced Manufacturing, Materials and Engineering
- Level 2 - City and Guilds 2D Computer Aided Design
- Level 2 - Award in Welding Skills
- Level 3 - OCN NI Award in Industrial Robotics
Childcare and Health and Social Care
- Level 2 - Award in Alcohol Awareness
- Level 2 - Award in Youth Work Practice
- Level 2 - British Sign Language
- Level 2 - NOCN Award in Meeting the Needs of Learners with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Level 2 - NOCN Award in Mental Health Awareness
- Level 2 - NOCN Award in Skills for Employment, Training and Personal Development (Parenting Skills)
- Level 2 – OCN Early Years Learning Care & Development Course
- Level 2 - OCN NI Award in Awareness of Dementia
- Level 2 - OCN NI Award in Awareness of Loneliness
- Level 2 - OCN NI Award in Awareness of Mental Health and Well-Being
- Level 2 - OCN NI Award in End-of-Life Care
- Level 2 - OCN NI Award in Introduction to Mindfulness and Reducing Anxiety in Children
- Level 2 - OCN NI Award in Managing Challenging Behaviour in Children and Young People
- Level 3 - Certificate Youth Work
- Level 3 - NOCN Award in First Aid for Mental Health
- Level 3 - OCN NI Award in Employability in Health and Social Care
- Level 3 - OCN NI Award in Health and Social Care (Northern Ireland)
- Level 3 - OCN NI Award in Infant and Child Mental Health and its Impact on Social and Emotional Development
- Level 3 - OCN NI Award in Introduction to Holistic Health and Complementary Approaches
- Level 3 - OCN NI Award in Meeting the Needs of Learners with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Level 3 - OCN NI Award in Supporting Adults with Autism
- Level 3 - OCN NI Award in Using Mindfulness Techniques to Reduce Anxiety in Children and Young People
- Level 3 - OCN NI Award in Working with Children and Young People with Special Needs
- Level 4 - OCN NI Certificate in Principles of Leadership and Management for Adult Social Care
- Level 4 - OCN NI Certificate in Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences and Building Resilience
- Level 4 - OCN NI Supporting Children and Adults with Special Educational Needs and Disability
Green Skills
- Level 2 - City and Guild Award in Retrofit
- Level 2 - City and Guilds Award in Sustainability and the Green Environment
- Level 2 - Introduction to Energy Efficient and Low-Carbon Homes
- Level 2 - OCN NI Award in Reducing Carbon Footprints through Environmental Action
- Level 2 - SIAS Award in the Introduction to Developing an Innovation Strategy for Business
- Level 2 - SIAS Award in the Introduction to Hydrogen Safety
- Level 2 - SIAS Award in the Introduction to Net Zero and Sustainability in Business
- Level 3 - OCN NI Award in Hydrogen Applications and Technologies
- Level 5 - OCN Award in Green Technologies ( Pathway: Hydrogen Production systems and Technologies)
- Level 5 - OCN Award in Green Technologies ( Pathway: Solar Photovoltaic Systems)
- Level 5 - OCN NI Certificate in Green Technologies (Top up class for those who have completed the Award)
Hospitality and Tourism
- Level 2 - OCN NI Managing a Small Event
Software and Digital
- Level 2 - OCN NI Award in Cyber Security
- Level 2 - SIAS Award in the Application of Artificial Intelligence in Business
Other Transversal Skills
- Level 3 - ILM Award in Leadership and Management
- Level 3 - ILM Level 3 Certificate in Effective Coaching and Mentoring
- Level 4 - OCN NI Award in Leadership
- Level 5 - ILM Level 5 Award in Effective Coaching and Mentoring
- Level 5 - ILM Level 5 Award in Leadership & Management
For further information on the Skill Up programme at Northern Regional College go to:
North West Regional College
Advanced Manufacturing, Materials and Engineering
- Level 1 - C and G Welding
- Level 3 - OCN NI Award in 3D Building Modelling for Architectural Design
Childcare and Health and Social Care
- Level 2 - CACHE Understand Autism Spectrum Condition
- Level 2 - CPCAB Award in Introduction to Counselling Skills
- Level 2 - CPCAB Understanding Substance Misuse
- Level 2 - OCN L2 Introduction to Mindfulness and Reducing Anxiety
- Level 2 - OCN NI Award in Awareness of Mental Health and Well-Being
- Level 2 - OCN NI Award in the Principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Level 2 - OCN NI Award in Managing Challenging Behaviour in Children and Young People
- Level 2 - OCN NI Supporting Individuals in the Use of Assistive Technologies
- Level 2 - Paediatric First Aid
- Level 3 - CPCAB Certificate in Counselling Studies
- Level 3 - OCN NI Award in Using Mindfulness Techniques to Reduce Anxiety in Children and Young People
- Level 3 - OCN NI Award in Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences and Building Resilience (ACE’s)
- Level 3 - OCN NI Working with Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs
- Level 4 - OCN NI Cert Working with Parents
- Level 4 - OCN NI Certificate in Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s and Building Resilience)
Green Skills
- Level 2 - Certificate in Practical Horticulture Skills
- Level 2 - Diploma in Practical Horticulture Skills
- Level 2 - IEMA Environmental Sustainability Skills for the Workplace
- Level 2 - Sustainability in the Workplace Programme
- Level 3 - C and G Award in the Requirements for the Design and Installation of Domestic and Small Commercial EV Charging Points
Hospitality and Tourism
- Level 2 - C and G Award Food Safety in Catering
- Level 2 - C and G Barista Skills
- Level 2 - OCN NI Tour Guiding
- Level 3 - OCN NI Tour Guiding
Software and Digital
- Level 2 - Cyber Security
- Level 3 - Cyber Security Penetration Testing
- Level 3 - Gaming, Animation and Visual Effects Skills
- Level 3 - OCN NI AI for Industry
- Level 4 - Kickstart IT
- Level 4 - Software Testing Diploma
Other Transversal Skills
- Level 3 - ILM Effective Coaching
For further information on the Skill Up programme at North West Regional College go to:
South Eastern Regional College
Advanced Manufacturing, Materials and Engineering
- Level 3 - SIEMENS Mechatronics
Childcare and Health and Social Care
- Level 2 - NCFE CACHE Certificate in Mental Health Awareness
- Level 3 - Award in Supporting Children and Young People's Speech, Language and Communication
- Level 3 - Award in Working with Children and Young People with Special Needs
- Level 3 - NCFE CACHE Award in Awareness of Dementia
- Level 3 - NCFE CACHE Award in Supporting Individuals with Learning Difficulties
- Level 3 - OCN NI Neurodiversity in the Workplace
Green Skills
- Level 2 - Award in Retrofit
- Level 2 - Foundation Certificate in Basic Heating and Hot Water System Design and Specification
- Level 2 - GQA NVQ Certificate in Cavity Wall Extractions Occupations
- Level 2 - OCN NI Award in Reducing Carbon Footprints through Environmental Action
- Level 2 - OCN NI Hydrogen Safety Awareness
- Level 2 - OCN NI Reducing Energy Use in Buildings
- Level 2 - SIAS Award in the Application of Artificial Intelligence in Business
- Level 2 - SIAS Award in the Introduction to Developing an Innovation Strategy for Business
- Level 2 - SIAS Award in the Introduction to Net Zero and Sustainability in Business
- Level 2 - SIAS Award in the Understanding of Net Zero and Sustainability in Business
- Level 3 - Automotive Refrigerant Handling (F-Gas)
- Level 3 - Design of Heat Pump Systems
- Level 3 - Installation and Maintenance of Air Source Heat Pumps
- Level 3 - LCL Award in Hot Water Systems & Safety (inc. Unvented hot water)
- Level 3 - LCL WRAS Awards Water Regulations Certificate
- Level 3 - Award in Design Installation and Commissioning of Electrical Energy Storage Systems
- Level 3 - Award in Electric/ Hybrid Vehicle System Repair and Replacement
- Level 3 - Award in the installation and Maintenance of Small-Scale Photovoltaic PV systems
- Level 3 - Award in the Installation and Commissioning of Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment in Domestic, Commercial and Industrial Locations
- Level 3 – OCN NI Embodied Carbon
- Level 4 - IMI Award in the Diagnosis, Testing and Repair of Electric/ Hybrid Vehicles and Components
- Level 5 - Award In Green Technologies
- Level 5 - Award In Retrofitting Domestic Properties
Hospitality and Tourism
- Level 2 - Award In Food Safety and Hygiene
- Level 2 - Award In Identifying and Controlling Food Allergy Risks
- Level 2 - Award in Principles of Customer Service in Hospitality, Leisure, Travel and Tourism
- Level 2 - Award in Tour Guiding
- Level 3 - Award in Supervising Food Safety and Hygiene
Software and Digital
- Level 2 - Introduction to Cyber Security
- Level 2 - ITQ Certificate for IT Users - Unit Route - Spreadsheet Software
- Level 2 - ITQ Certificate for IT Users - Unit Route - Word Processing Software
- Level 2 - Award Computerised Accounts
- Level 2 - OCN NI Award in Cyber Security
- Level 2 - OCN NI Award in Social Media
- Level 2 - SIAS Award in the Understanding the Artificial Intelligence in Business
- Level 3 - ITQ Certificate for IT Users - Unit Route - Spreadsheet Software
- Level 4 - OCN NI Award in Social Media and Digital Marketing
Other Transversal Skills
- Level 2 - IOE Award in International Trade, Customs and Logistics
- Level 3 - CMI Sustainability Principles for First Line Managers
- Level 3 - CMI Award in Project Management
- Level 3 - EAL Award in Electrical Installation, Inspection, Testing, Certification and Reporting
- Level 3 - IOE Customs Practitioner Award
- Level 3 - Fire and Security Experienced Worker - EAL NVQ Diploma in Providing Electronic Fire and Security Systems
- Level 3 - CMI Award in the Principles of Management and Leadership
- Level 5 - CMI Sustainability in Management and Leadership
- Level 5 - CMI Award in Management and Leadership
- Level 5 - CMI Award in Professional Coaching
- Level 5 - CMI Certificate in Project Management
- Level 5 - CMI Certificate Leadership and Management
- Level 5 - CMI Diploma Leadership and Management
For further information on the Skill Up programme at South Eastern Regional College go to:
Southern Regional College
Advanced Manufacturing, Materials and Engineering
- Level 3 - Pneumatic and Hydraulic Systems and Devices
- Level 3 - Programmable Logic Controllers
Childcare and Health and Social Care
- Level 2 - Award in Infant and Child Mental Health and its Impact on Social and Emotional Development
- Level 2 - Diploma Primary Care Medical Administration
- Level 2 - Early Years Learning Care and Development
- Level 3 - Understand Communication Needs of Children with Behaviour, Social and Emotional Difficulties
- Level 4 - Certificate in Higher Education in Healthcare Practice
Hospitality and Tourism
- Level 2 - Award in Principles of Customer Service
Software and Digital
- Level 2 - Award in Cyber Security
- Level 3 - AI for Industry
- Level 4 - Certificate in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- Level 4 - Certificate in Cyber Security
- Level 4 - Certificate in Data Analytics
- Level 5 - Certificate in Cyber Security
- Level 5 - Certificate in Data Analytics
Other Transversal Skills
- Level 3 - Award in Leadership and Management
- Level 3 - Certificate in Advice and Guidance
- Level 3 - Certificate in Leadership and Management (Top Up from Award)
- Level 4 - Careers Advice and Guidance
- Level 5 - Award in Leadership and Management
- Level 5 - Certificate in Effective Coaching and Mentoring
- Level 5 - Certificate in Leadership and Management
- Level 5 - Certificate in Leadership and Management (Top Up from Award)
For further information on the Skill Up programme at Southern Regional College go to:
South West College
Advanced Manufacturing, Materials and Engineering
- Level 1 - Welding
- Level 2 - AutoCAD
- Level 2 - Robotics
- Level 2 - Welding
Childcare and Health and Social Care
- Level 2 - An Introduction to Mindfulness and Reducing Anxiety in Children
- Level 2 - OCN NI Level 2 Award in Awareness of Loneliness
- Level 2 - OCN NI Level 2 Award in Principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Level 3 - Managing Challenging Behaviour in Children and Young People
- Level 3 - Mindfulness for Children
- Level 3 - Transition to Playwork
- Level 3 - Working with Children and Young People with Special Needs
- Level 4 - Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences and Building Resilience
Green Skills
- Level 2 - Electric and Hybrid Vehicle
- Level 3 - Electric and Hybrid Vehicle
Hospitality and Tourism
- Level 2 - FDQ Award in Food Safety for the Food Industry
- Level 2 - FDQ Award in Principles of Food Allergen Awareness and Control
- Level 2 - OCN NI Award in Tour Guiding
- Level 3 - OCN NI Award in Event Management
Software and Digital
- Level 2 - AI in Education
- Level 2 - Cisco - CCST- Networking
- Level 2 - Cisco - CCST- Cyber Security
- Level 2 - Cisco - Digital Safety and Security Awareness
- Level 2 - Cisco - Ethical Hacker
- Level 2 - Cisco - Introduction to Cyber Security
- Level 2 - Cisco - Introduction to Modern AI
- Level 2 - Cisco/ Python Institute - Python
- Level 2 - Cyber Security
- Level 2 - ISC2 - Certified in Cyber Security
- Level 3 - AI in Industry
- Level 4 - BIM/ Revit
- Level 4 - Cyber Security
- Level 4 - Data Analytics
- Level 4 - Digital Marketing and Social Media
Other Transversal Skills
- Level 3 - Leadership and Management
- Level 3 - Project Management
- Level 5 - Leadership and Management
For further information on the Skill Up programme at South West College go to: