Traineeships: A new way to get on your career ladder!

The Traineeship programme is a full-time vocational education and training initiative delivered in Northern Ireland’s six regional Further Education colleges.

Traineeships are available to all school leavers and adults not yet working, who aspire to work in a specific occupational area. Blended with structured work-based learning, the Traineeship programme allows you to achieve a Level 2 qualification, and progress to a Level 3 Apprenticeship.

Elements of a Traineeship:

• a main knowledge based qualification in the chosen occupational area
• vocational skills development
• transversal and digital skills
• work placement
• lead to a Traineeship certificate plus qualifications equivalent to five GCSEs including Maths and English Grades A* to C
• additional qualifications deemed necessary for work within a sector for example Health and Safety, CSR and manual handling

Unlike apprenticeships, Traineeship participants do not earn a wage when at college and in work placement. If you are aged 16 to 19 years, you may be eligible for Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) which currently pays £30 per week. While, if you are over 19 you can apply for a Further Education Grant here . Details of other support funding can be found here.

The majority of Traineeships typically take up to two years to complete on a full-time basis, with a one year fast track option. Remember you can progress onto a Level 3 Apprenticeship from a Level 2 Traineeship!

For more information about Traineeships visit the NIDirect Website here