September intake open · DfE-funded
Skills for Life & Work in Downpatrick
Free training for Downpatrick school leavers aged 16 to 17 (up to 21 with a disability, or up to 24 if care-experienced). Train at our Downpatrick centre, gain a recognised qualification, spend real time with a local employer and earn a £40 weekly training allowance while you do it.
The Downpatrick centre at a glance
- Centre
- 2 Church Street, Downpatrick, BT30 6EJ
- Phone
- 028 4461 2837
- 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
Town centre, short walk from Downpatrick bus station. Market Street and Saint Patrick Avenue car parks nearby.
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 Downpatrick
Downpatrick serves rural east Down, and our centre trains school leavers in health and social care, Essential Skills and childcare. Placements are with local care providers, nurseries, shops and offices, and our domiciliary care service in the area often gives trainees their first taste of real care work. Trainees come in from Ballynahinch, Killyleagh, Crossgar, Saintfield and Strangford.
These are the areas our Downpatrick centre supports most often. Other vocational areas can be arranged through a nearby centre or a local employer placement.
- Health & Social Care
- Essential Skills
- Childcare
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
Downpatrick questions, answered
Is Skills for Life & Work in Downpatrick 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 Downpatrick?
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 Downpatrick?
Training is delivered at the Rutledge centre at 2 Church Street, Downpatrick, BT30 6EJ, combined with a real work placement with a local employer and online learning through Rutledge Learning.
When can I start in Downpatrick?
Our main intake is in September, and we also take referrals throughout the year where places are available. Register your interest and the Downpatrick 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 Downpatrick intake
Send us your details and the Rutledge Downpatrick team will be in touch about the September start and the vocational areas available locally.
Skills for Life & Work in other towns
Our Downpatrick centre also supports trainees from Ballynahinch, Killyleagh, Crossgar, Saintfield, Strangford.