September intake open · DfE-funded
Skills for Life & Work in Derry/Londonderry
Free training for Derry/Londonderry school leavers aged 16 to 17 (up to 21 with a disability, or up to 24 if care-experienced). Train at our Derry/Londonderry centre, gain a recognised qualification, spend real time with a local employer and earn a £40 weekly training allowance while you do it.
The Derry/Londonderry centre at a glance
- Centre
- 22 Waterloo Place, Londonderry, BT48 6BU
- Phone
- 028 7137 0300
- 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
City-side, two minutes from the Diamond and the Waterside Foyle bridge. Foyleside and Quayside multi-storey car parks within walking distance.
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 Derry/Londonderry
Our Waterloo Place centre sits in the middle of the city, so it is reachable on foot or by bus from most of Derry. Training covers health and social care, business and IT and customer service, and placements draw on the city's care providers, contact centres and offices, one of the strongest sources of first jobs in the north west. Trainees also come in from Strabane, Limavady, Eglinton, Newbuildings, Claudy and Dungiven.
These are the areas our Derry/Londonderry centre supports most often. Other vocational areas can be arranged through a nearby centre or a local employer placement.
- Health & Social Care
- Business & IT
- Customer Service
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
Derry/Londonderry questions, answered
Is Skills for Life & Work in Derry/Londonderry 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 Derry/Londonderry?
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 Derry/Londonderry?
Training is delivered at the Rutledge centre at 22 Waterloo Place, Londonderry, BT48 6BU, combined with a real work placement with a local employer and online learning through Rutledge Learning.
When can I start in Derry/Londonderry?
Our main intake is in September, and we also take referrals throughout the year where places are available. Register your interest and the Derry/Londonderry 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 Derry/Londonderry intake
Send us your details and the Rutledge Derry/Londonderry team will be in touch about the September start and the vocational areas available locally.
Skills for Life & Work in other towns
Our Derry/Londonderry centre also supports trainees from Strabane, Limavady, Eglinton, Newbuildings, Claudy, Dungiven.