September intake open · DfE-funded
Skills for Life & Work in Belfast
Free training for Belfast school leavers aged 16 to 17 (up to 21 with a disability, or up to 24 if care-experienced). Train at our Belfast centre, gain a recognised qualification, spend real time with a local employer and earn a £40 weekly training allowance while you do it.
The Belfast centre at a glance
- Centre
- Downshire House, Downshire Place, Belfast, BT2 7JQ
- Phone
- 028 9024 6888
- 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
Five-minute walk from Great Victoria Street station and the Europa bus interchange. Hope Street and Brunswick Street NCP 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 Belfast
Belfast gives trainees the widest choice of placements of any of our centres, from care providers and hospital support roles to offices, finance and digital employers across the city. Training covers health and social care, business and IT and team leading. Trainees travel in from Holywood, Castlereagh, Dundonald, Newtownabbey and Lisburn on city bus and Glider routes.
These are the areas our Belfast centre supports most often. Other vocational areas can be arranged through a nearby centre or a local employer placement.
- Health & Social Care
- 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
Belfast questions, answered
Is Skills for Life & Work in Belfast 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 Belfast?
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 Belfast?
Training is delivered at the Rutledge centre at Downshire House, Downshire Place, Belfast, BT2 7JQ, combined with a real work placement with a local employer and online learning through Rutledge Learning.
When can I start in Belfast?
Our main intake is in September, and we also take referrals throughout the year where places are available. Register your interest and the Belfast 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 Belfast intake
Send us your details and the Rutledge Belfast team will be in touch about the September start and the vocational areas available locally.
Skills for Life & Work in other towns
Our Belfast centre also supports trainees from Holywood, Castlereagh, Dundonald, Newtownabbey, Lisburn.