For parents and guardians
What can my child do after GCSEs?
If your child is leaving school and sixth form is not the right fit, Skills for Life & Work gives them a funded, supported route into work. They train at a local Rutledge centre, spend real time with an employer, and leave with recognised qualifications. This page answers the questions parents ask us most.
No cost to you
Fully funded by the Department for the Economy (DfE). Your child receives a £40 weekly training allowance and travel expenses.
Safe and supervised
Access NI checked staff, designated safeguarding officers and vetted, monitored work placements.
Support built in
Small groups, pastoral support and attendance monitoring, with regular contact home where it helps.
A real next step
Most trainees move on to an apprenticeship, employment or further study within two years.
If they did not get the grades
No formal qualifications needed. The programme is open to school leavers with or without GCSEs. Trainees work towards Essential Skills in Communication, Numeracy and ICT alongside their vocational qualification, so a disappointing results day does not close the door on recognised, GCSE-equivalent qualifications.
The programme is open to young people aged 16 to 17 (up to 21 with a disability, or up to 24 if care-experienced).
What a week looks like
- 1Time at the local Rutledge training centre working on the vocational qualification.
- 2Essential Skills sessions in Communication, Numeracy and ICT where needed.
- 3A regular work placement with a local employer, building experience and a reference.
- 4Employability and personal development, including CVs, interviews and workplace behaviour.
Parents' questions
What can my child do after GCSEs in Northern Ireland?
The main options are sixth form, an FE college course, an Apprenticeship NI place with an employer, or a Skills for Life & Work training place. Skills for Life & Work suits young people who prefer learning by doing, are not yet ready to commit to a full apprenticeship, or did not get the grades they hoped for.
Does it cost anything?
No. Skills for Life & Work is fully funded by the Department for the Economy (DfE). There are no fees, and your child receives a £40 weekly training allowance plus travel expenses.
What if they did not pass their GCSEs?
That is not a barrier. Trainees work towards Essential Skills in Communication, Numeracy and ICT alongside their vocational qualification, so they can still leave with recognised, GCSE-equivalent qualifications.
Is my child supervised and safe?
Yes. Rutledge is a registered training organisation with safeguarding policies, designated safeguarding officers and Access NI checked staff. Work placements are vetted and monitored by our team.
How much time is spent in a workplace?
Trainees split their week between the training centre and a real work placement with a local employer, so they build practical experience and a reference while they study.
What happens if they change their mind about the vocational area?
Speak to the centre team. Where a place is available, trainees can move to a different vocational area early in the programme rather than dropping out.
How do I enrol my child?
Register your interest online and the team at your nearest centre will contact you to arrange an informal chat. The main intake is in September.
Still weighing up the options? Compare Skills for Life & Work with an apprenticeship, sixth form and college.
September intake
Ask us about your child's options
Leave your details and the team at your nearest centre will call you for an informal chat. No commitment, no pressure.