September intake open · DfE-funded
Skills for Life & Work in Ballymena (Greenvale Street)
Free training for Ballymena (Greenvale Street) school leavers aged 16 to 17 (up to 21 with a disability, or up to 24 if care-experienced). Train at our Ballymena (Greenvale 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 (Greenvale Street) centre at a glance
- Centre
- 3 Greenvale Street, Ballymena, BT43 6AR
- Phone
- 028 2568 9643
- 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
Two minutes from the Fairhill shopping centre and Ballymena bus station. Greenvale multi-storey directly opposite the branch.
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 (Greenvale Street)
Our Greenvale Street centre is the training side of Rutledge in Ballymena, a short walk from Thomas Street. It gives the town a second base for engineering, business and IT training, with placements arranged across mid and east Antrim manufacturing and administration employers. Trainees from Broughshane, Cullybackey, Kells, Ahoghill and Galgorm are all within a short bus journey.
These are the areas our Ballymena (Greenvale 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 (Greenvale Street) questions, answered
Is Skills for Life & Work in Ballymena (Greenvale 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 (Greenvale 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 (Greenvale Street)?
Training is delivered at the Rutledge centre at 3 Greenvale Street, Ballymena, BT43 6AR, combined with a real work placement with a local employer and online learning through Rutledge Learning.
When can I start in Ballymena (Greenvale 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 (Greenvale 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 (Greenvale Street) intake
Send us your details and the Rutledge Ballymena (Greenvale 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 (Greenvale Street) centre also supports trainees from Broughshane, Cullybackey, Kells, Ahoghill, Galgorm.