September intake open · DfE-funded
Skills for Life & Work in Ballymena (Thomas Street)
Free training for Ballymena (Thomas Street) school leavers aged 16 to 17 (up to 21 with a disability, or up to 24 if care-experienced). Train at our Ballymena (Thomas Street) centre, gain a recognised qualification, spend real time with a local employer and earn a £40 weekly training allowance while you do it.
The Ballymena (Thomas Street) centre at a glance
- Centre
- 2a Thomas Street, Ballymena, BT43 6AU
- Phone
- 028 2563 1800
- Opening hours
- Mon - Fri 9:00am - 5:00pm
- Training allowance
- £40 per week plus travel expenses
- Next intake
- September, in-year places subject to availability
- Entry requirements
- None, open with or without GCSEs
Centre of Ballymena, three-minute walk from the bus and train interchange. Pay-and-display at Greenvale and Wellington Street car parks within 200 metres.
What you get paid while you train
£40
Every week
Training allowance paid while you attend, plus travel expenses to and from the centre.
£100
Start bonus
Paid once you have stayed on the September programme for 13 weeks.
£50
Bring a friend
Paid when a friend you refer joins and completes 13 weeks too.
Vocational areas at Ballymena (Thomas Street)
Ballymena is an engineering and manufacturing town, and our Thomas Street centre is built around that. Trainees work towards engineering, business and IT qualifications, then spend part of every week on placement with production, engineering and office employers across mid and east Antrim. Young people travel in from Broughshane, Cullybackey, Kells, Ahoghill and Galgorm, and travel costs are covered.
These are the areas our Ballymena (Thomas Street) centre supports most often. Other vocational areas can be arranged through a nearby centre or a local employer placement.
- Engineering
- Business & IT
- Team Leading & Management
What you leave with
- Level 1 or Level 2 vocational qualification in your chosen area
- Essential Skills in Communication, Numeracy and ICT
- Employability and personal development units
- Industry certificates relevant to your vocational area
Where it leads
- An Apprenticeship NI place with a local employer
- Full-time employment in your vocational area
- Further study at a local FE college
Compare this against an apprenticeship, sixth form and college
Ballymena (Thomas Street) questions, answered
Is Skills for Life & Work in Ballymena (Thomas Street) free?
Yes. The programme is fully funded by the Department for the Economy (DfE), so there are no course fees. You also receive a £40 weekly training allowance and travel expenses while you attend.
Do I need GCSEs to join in Ballymena (Thomas Street)?
No formal qualifications needed. The programme is open to school leavers with or without GCSEs. Your local team will talk through your interests and find the right starting level for you.
Where is the training delivered in Ballymena (Thomas Street)?
Training is delivered at the Rutledge centre at 2a Thomas Street, Ballymena, BT43 6AU, combined with a real work placement with a local employer and online learning through Rutledge Learning.
When can I start in Ballymena (Thomas Street)?
Our main intake is in September, and we also take referrals throughout the year where places are available. Register your interest and the Ballymena (Thomas Street) team will confirm the next start date.
How long does the programme last?
Up to 2 years, with most trainees progressing within 12 to 24 months.
What do I get at the end?
A recognised vocational qualification, Essential Skills, real workplace experience and a clear route into an apprenticeship, a job or further study.
Sign up
Register for the Ballymena (Thomas Street) intake
Send us your details and the Rutledge Ballymena (Thomas Street) team will be in touch about the September start and the vocational areas available locally.
Skills for Life & Work in other towns
Our Ballymena (Thomas Street) centre also supports trainees from Broughshane, Cullybackey, Kells, Ahoghill, Galgorm.