£180m is to be invested in almost 20,000 traineeship places in Northern Ireland over the next seven years, starting in September.
The NI Traineeship is a new vocational education and training programme for people aged 16 and over, being launched by the Department for the Economy in partnership with NI's six further education colleges.
It willl combine classroom learning with work-based training, in employment areas from engineering to retail and hairdressing to joinery, with support for work-based learning being provided by local employers.
Economy Minister Paul Frew said that "training the Northern Ireland workforce is essential in rebuilding the post-pandemic economy and in addressing a future skills deficit."
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“Traineeships will provide an excellent opportunity for those who are not in employment to gain a Level 2 qualification that can unlock their chosen career path, or set them up to progress to higher levels of education, such as an Apprenticeship," he added.
“Participants on a Traineeship will also learn valuable skills for employment, and the work-based training is the best way to develop wider and transferable skills that are so vital in the world of work."
Ken Webb, Chair of the Further Education Colleges Principals’ Group welcomed the investment, noting that the "skills gap in Northern Ireland has never been more apparent."
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The investment is part funded through the Department’s Economic Recovery Action Plan. Participants on an NI Traineeship may be eligible for financial support through Education Maintenance Allowance or FE Grants. Hardship funds, free school meals and travel passes may also be available.
For more information on NI Traineeships and to apply, visit http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/traineeships.
Applicants must hold a minimum of a Level 1 qualification, defined as four GCSEs at grades D to G, including Maths and English grades D to E, or equivalent.
