September intake open · DfE-funded
Skills for Life & Work in Lisburn
Free training for Lisburn school leavers aged 16 to 17 (up to 21 with a disability, or up to 24 if care-experienced). Train at our Lisburn centre, gain a recognised qualification, spend real time with a local employer and earn a £40 weekly training allowance while you do it.
The Lisburn centre at a glance
- Centre
- 20 Bachelors Walk, Lisburn, BT28 1XN
- Phone
- 028 9244 0989
- 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
Lisburn city centre, close to Bow Street Mall and the rail station. Bow Street Mall multi-storey 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 Lisburn
Lisburn sits between Belfast and Craigavon, so placements draw on both, with care providers, warehousing and distribution and office employers on the doorstep. Training covers Essential Skills, health and social care and customer service. Trainees come in from Hillsborough, Moira, Dromore, Dunmurry, Sprucefield and Glenavy.
These are the areas our Lisburn centre supports most often. Other vocational areas can be arranged through a nearby centre or a local employer placement.
- Essential Skills
- Health & Social Care
- 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
Lisburn questions, answered
Is Skills for Life & Work in Lisburn 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 Lisburn?
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 Lisburn?
Training is delivered at the Rutledge centre at 20 Bachelors Walk, Lisburn, BT28 1XN, combined with a real work placement with a local employer and online learning through Rutledge Learning.
When can I start in Lisburn?
Our main intake is in September, and we also take referrals throughout the year where places are available. Register your interest and the Lisburn 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 Lisburn intake
Send us your details and the Rutledge Lisburn team will be in touch about the September start and the vocational areas available locally.
Skills for Life & Work in other towns
Our Lisburn centre also supports trainees from Hillsborough, Moira, Dromore, Dunmurry, Sprucefield, Glenavy.