Healthcare Assistant Academy
If you’re interested in a career in healthcare, 15 training opportunities are currently available. If you successfully finish the academy, you will have industry recognised qualifications, supervised healthcare experience and be considered for a potential job role with one of the supporting companies.
Training
The Healthcare Assistant Academy is an intensive eight-week training course that gives practical knowledge and real-world experience required to work in the sector.
Those picked for the Academy will study for an accredited OCN NI Level 2 Certificate in Introduction to Working in Adult Social Care in Northern Ireland. This is an entry-level qualification designed to give new social care practitioners with the knowledge and practical skills needed to work safely and effectively in health and social care settings. It forms part of the Care in Practice (CiP) Framework, ensuring consistency in induction training across the sector.
The academy training will develop sector relevant skills in Social Care Practice and Services which will include:
- building resilience and self-care to address challenges associated with working in Adult Social Care Practice
- communication in Adult Social Care
- Health and Safety in Adult Social Care
- person-centred values in Adult Social Care
- continuing professional development in Adult Social Care
- understanding protection and safeguarding in a Social Care context
Training allowance
Participants will receive a weekly training allowance of £180 for the length of the Academy, as well as help with travelling and childcare expenses where people qualify.
After successfully finishing the course, participants will be guaranteed a job interview with a supporting company. However, an interview is not a guarantee of a job. Offers of employment will be solely at the discretion of the companies following the interview.
Successful participants can progress to the NCFE CACHE Level 2 Award in Care once employed in their roles, which aligns with the Adult Care Worker and Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship standards.
Who can apply
Applicants must:
- be at least 18 years old
- have a right to work and to undertake Assured Skills Training in the UK at the point of application
- not be disqualified from doing either by reason of their immigration status
Whilst there is no minimum level of qualifications required to apply for the Healthcare Assistant Academy, preference will be given to applicants with Level 1 or higher English and Maths (equivalent to GCSE grades D - G).
How to apply
Apply online at:
Closing date
Completed applications must be received by noon (UK time) on Friday 9 January 2026.
Information session and interview dates
Belfast Metropolitan College (BMC) will ask eligible applicants to attend an information session and interview that will take place on the week beginning Monday 19 January 2026.
Training dates
Training will take place from Monday 2 February 2026 to Friday 27 March 2026 at BMC’s Girdwood Community Hub.
Applicants must be available for the whole of the training period.
Training will be delivered on campus from Monday to Thursday from 10.00 am to 3.00 pm, and online on Fridays from 10.00 am and 3.00 pm.
Company information
The supporting companies participating in the Academy are:
- Praxis
- M Care NI
- Macklin Care Homes
Living outside Northern Ireland
If you live outside Northern Ireland, by accepting an offer of a place on this pre-employment training academy, you are committing to attending training and pursuing a job opportunity in Northern Ireland.
Applications are welcome from everyone who meets the essential criteria and are particularly welcome from people returning to work after caring for their children or other family members.
Help to apply
If you have a disability and need help to complete this form:
or
- telephone 028 9041 6972
All correspondence with applicants will be through email.
It is the applicant’s responsibility to act on this within the given time frame.
Further information
For more information on this academy or to receive updates on new academy opportunities as they arise email your enquiry to;
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