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
Applications to the Open University Skill Up courses have now closed.
For further information on the Skill Up programme at the Open University go to:
Queen’s University Belfast
Advanced Manufacturing, Materials and Engineering
- Advanced Manufacturing Leadership Programme
- PG Cert - Operation and Supply Chain Management
Childcare and Health and Social Care
- PG Cert - Biopharmaceutical Engineering
- 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
- Business Sustainability Essentials
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
- Leading Transformation Through Culture
- Emerging Leaders
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
- Pharmacogenomics Informed Prescribing
- Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine
- Synthetic Biology
Green Skills
- Biodiversity Management
- Industrial Biotechnology
- Programming for GIS and 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
Other Transversal Skills
- Embedding Financial Sustainability in FE Practice
- Embedding Numeracy in Further Education Learning
- Improvement Through People
- Innovation Management
- Mini MBA Family Business
- 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 - Thematic strands include: Careers and Employability, Early Childhood Specialist, Pastoral Care, Special Education Needs (SEN) and Teaching Excellence and Advanced Skills, Outdoor Learning and Global Education and Research Skills
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 - Awareness of Loneliness
- 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
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
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
Childcare and Health and Social Care
- Level 2 - Award in Alcohol Awareness
- Level 2 - NOCN Award in Meeting the Needs of Learners with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Level 2 - NOCN Award in Skills for Employment, Training and Personal Development (Parenting Skills)
- Level 2 – OCN Early Years Learning Care and Development Course
- Level 2 - OCN NI Award in Awareness of Mental Health and Well-Being
- 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 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 - OCN NI Award in Reducing Carbon Footprints through Environmental Action
- 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
Hospitality and Tourism
- Level 2 - OCN NI Managing a Small Event
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
Childcare and Health and Social Care
- Level 2 - CACHE Understand Autism Spectrum Condition
- Level 2 - CPCAB Award in Introduction to Counselling Skills
- 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 3 - OCN NI Award in Using Mindfulness Techniques to Reduce Anxiety in Children and Young People
- 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 - 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 Barista Skills
Software and Digital
- Level 2 - Cyber Security
- 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
Green Skills
- 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 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
Hospitality and Tourism
- Level 2 - Award in Tour Guiding
Software and Digital
- Level 2 - ITQ Certificate for IT Users - Unit Route - Spreadsheet Software
- Level 2 - OCN NI Award in Cyber Security
- Level 3 - ITQ Certificate for IT Users - Unit Route - Spreadsheet Software
Other Transversal Skills
- Level 3 - CMI Award in Project Management
- 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
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 - Programmable Logic Controllers
Childcare and Health and Social Care
- Level 2 - Early Years Learning Care and Development
- Level 3 - Understand Communication Needs of Children with Behaviour, Social and Emotional Difficulties
Software and Digital
- Level 2 - Award in Cyber Security
- Level 4 - Certificate in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- Level 5 - Certificate in Cyber Security
- Level 5 - Certificate in Data Analytics
Other Transversal Skills
- Level 3 - 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: