Step Up – the person-centred skills project
If you are 16 and over and eligible to work in Northern Ireland, a range of flexible, individualised support is now available within the Further Education Colleges of Northern Ireland to help you to re-engage with skills and education and to access employment.
What is Step Up
Step Up will give you an opportunity to build your confidence, explore career options, build on existing skills and gain qualifications while also benefiting from one-to-one mentorship. Other help includes supported work experience, action planning and careers advice.
The length of time spent on the Project is agreed with you. With the right support, progression to further or higher education, skills training or employment is just a step away.
There are up to 585 free places available until the end of March 2026.
Who Step Up can help
Step Up provides support for people with specific characteristics such as:
- people aged from 16 to 24 years old who are not in employment or education or training
- people aged from 16 to 24 years old who care leavers
- young people and adults with a disability or Special Educational Needs
- economically inactive women returners
Step Up in Further Education
Further Education Colleges offer:
College Connect +
College Connect + is for those aged between 16 and 24 years of age who are currently not in education, employment or training. An individual development plan, together with mentorship and careers advice will support additional transversal skills achievement and lead to qualifications (the level is dependent on the learner).
DARE - Disability Access Route to Education and Employment
DARE is open to all who have a disability, are aged 16 years or over and are unemployed or economically inactive. Support offered through DARE include weekly mentorship, goal setting and action planning specific to the individual learner to enhance opportunities to gain qualifications and progress into work or stay in work. Support from expert organisations will be included where appropriate.
WRAP - Women Returners Access Programme
Unemployed or economically inactive women aged 18 years plus, who wish to build confidence, refresh skills, gain qualifications and work experience in areas of economic demand can apply to WRAP. Through job coaching and mentorship, support will be provided to create progression pathways including to further and higher education or employment.
Where and how to apply
Details of what’s on offer and how to apply to Step Up can be found here:
Further Education Colleges