Skills for Life & Work · DfE-funded
A real route from leaving school to a proper job.
Skills for Life & Work is the Department for the Economy's training programme for school leavers in Northern Ireland. You'll train at your local Rutledge centre while gaining valuable real workplace experience and achieving recognised qualifications, helping you build skills, confidence, and a pathway into employment or further training.
£40/wk
Training allowance, plus ongoing bonuses & travel expenses
Are you an employer? Offer a Skills for Life & Work placement
Start in September.
Pocket £100 after 13 weeks.
Sign up to our September Skills for Life & Work intake and we'll pay you a £100 start bonus once you've stayed on the programme for 13 weeks. Bring a friend, get an extra £50 when they join and complete 13 weeks too. All on top of your £40 weekly training allowance, ongoing achievement bonuses and travel expenses.
£100
Start bonus
Paid after 13 weeks on programme.
£50
Refer a friend
For every mate who completes 13 weeks.
Terms & conditions apply
Essential Skills RequirementAll Trainees are required to complete Essential Skills in Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Skills (ICT), unless the trainee already holds a GCSE Grade C (or equivalent) in each subject.
What you'll do
01
Learn
Entry Level and Level 1 qualifications in your chosen vocational area, alongside Essential Skills in literacy, numeracy and digital skills.
02
Work placement
Real placements with Northern Ireland employers, apply what you've learned in training.
03
Progress
Move into a Traineeship, an Apprenticeships NI or paid employment, whichever route fits you when you finish.
Who it's for
School leavers, on their own terms.
£40 a week training allowance, ongoing achievement bonuses and travel expenses paid throughout the programme.
- Under 18
- Standard eligibility. Must be under 18 and have attained the minimum school leaving age by 30 June.
- Under 22
- Where the trainee has a recognised disability.
- Under 25
- Where the trainee has a care-experienced background.
Wondering how this compares with Education Maintenance Allowance at school or college? Read our guide to EMA in Northern Ireland.
Vocational areas
Pick the trade. Train at your local centre.
All Entry Level and Level 1. Availability varies by branch, see the branch directory.
Barbering
Beauty
Bricklaying
Business Administration
Childcare
Creative Arts & Digital Technologies
Customer Service
Engineering
Hairdressing
Health & Social Care
Hospitality
IT
Joinery
Stores & Warehousing
September intake
Find your nearest centre
Skills for Life & Work is delivered across Northern Ireland. Pick your town for local start dates, vocational areas and contact details.
In their own words
What our trainees say.
Real feedback from young people who've completed Skills for Life & Work with Rutledge.
“I really enjoyed my time at Rutledge. The tutors were easy to talk to and helped me feel more confident.”
Skills for Life & Work trainee
“The work placement was my favourite part because I got real experience and learned what it's actually like in a workplace.”
Skills for Life & Work trainee
“Before joining the course I didn't know what I wanted to do, but now I feel more prepared for my future.”
Skills for Life & Work trainee
“Everyone was really friendly and supportive. I made new friends and learned loads of new skills.”
Skills for Life & Work trainee
“Rutledge helped me improve my confidence and communication. I feel much more comfortable speaking to people now.”
Skills for Life & Work trainee
Sign up
Register your interest
We'll match you to your nearest centre and the appropriate Rutledge branch team will contact you about your options. £40 weekly training allowance, ongoing bonuses and travel expenses included.
Government-funded provision
Rutledge delivers Skills for Life and Work under contract with the Department for the Economy. There is no fee to the trainee, the programme is fully funded by DfE.