NI Traineeships typically take one or two years to complete on a full-time basis, depending on the subject chosen. Please refer to our individual course pages for specific course durations.

As well as training you in skills for your chosen area of work, you will also be helped to develop personal skills that employers look for, such as:

• Problem solving
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Time management
• Entrepreneurship

Project Based Learning which is also a key feature of NI Traineeships, will help you explore real-world problems and challenges that have been developed with employers. With this type of active and engaged learning, you will be inspired to obtain a deeper knowledge of the subjects you are studying and develop a wide range of hands-on skills.

Applicants will be required to achieve a minimum of a level 1 qualification which is defined as 4 GCSEs at grades D-G including maths and English grades D-F (or equivalent). Enhanced entry grades for maths and English apply in certain subject areas. These will be discussed with the applicant after an application has been made.

Enhanced grades for each subject area can be found on each individual course page on our website.

If you do not meet the enhanced entry criteria you may enter an ‘introductory phase’ of the traineeship. Upon enrolment, you will carry out initial assessments to confirm if you should enter the full traineeship or the introductory phase.

During the application process you should apply for the Level 2 course.

On successful completion of the full NI Traineeship, you will receive a ‘Traineeship Diploma’ equivalent to five GCSEs at grades A*- C (including English and maths qualifications at level 2).

All trainees who achieve the Full Traineeship Diploma, can progress to either a Level 3 Further Education course or a Level 3 Apprenticeship. This can in turn lead to higher education opportunities.

Trainees who do not achieve all the components of the traineeship will be recognised for ‘Partial Achievement’. This may mean you pass the professional and technical qualification but not the level 2 communication or level 2 numeracy elements. Trainees who have Partial Achievement may still be able to progress to further education courses at level 3.

Trainees who secure employment in their chosen occupational area during their traineeship, can transfer seamlessly to an apprenticeship at level 2. As an apprentice, if you become unemployed during your apprenticeship, you can transfer onto a traineeship to complete your programme.

At Southern Regional College we offer the following subject areas:

• Art & Design
• Barbering
• Beauty Therapy
• Brickwork
• Business Administration
• Carpentry & Joinery
• Childcare
• Creative Arts & Digital Technologies
• Engineering
• Floor & Wall Tiling
• Hairdressing
• Health & Social Care
• Hospitality
• Information Technology
• Light Vehicle
• Media
• Professional Chef
• Sport & Active Leisure
• Vehicle Body Repair
• Vehicle Paint Refinishing

Trainees are entitled to the same support as any other full-time further education student.

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

Trainees aged 16–19 may be eligible for Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA), a means-tested payment of £30 per week. Payments are subject to full attendance across all subject areas, including work placement, with additional bonuses available for achieving qualifications. EMA application forms are available online.

Further Education Grant

Trainees can apply for a means tested FE Grant of up to £2,092 per year which is non-repayable. The deadline to be guaranteed support is 30th June although applications are open until the 30th September.

Care to Learn

If you are or become a parent and are aged between 16 and 19 at the start of your traineeship, you may be entitled to assistance with childcare costs.

Hardship Fund

Students aged 18 or over on 1 July in their year of entry and who are experiencing financial hardship may be eligible for support from the College’s Hardship Fund. Support is means tested and only available once all other funding options have been explored. Childcare costs may be covered where support is not available through the FE Award or Care to Learn.

Travel/Bus Pass

Trainees may apply for a bus pass through the Education Authority (EA) if they are under 19 on 1 July at year of entry, enrolled on a traineeship, and live at least 3 miles from their nearest college. Travel costs to work placement will also be reimbursed.

Free School Meals

Trainees under 18 years of age on 31st July at the year of entry, may be entitled to free school meals. Applications must be made by your parent or guardian to the Education Authority. School meal tickets will be available from campus receptions.

Online Learning

If you are required to engage with online learning, the College may help you with this through the loan of IT equipment.

Job Related Equipment

Trainees will receive free Health and Safety Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (where required). There may also be a requirement for trainees on Health and Social Care courses to be vaccinated when undertaking placements in hospital settings.

Pastoral Care

Like all students, trainees will receive a high level of pastoral care from College staff with appropriate support mechanisms in place. More details can be found on the ‘Support’ section of our website.

ROI applicants are eligible to apply for a Traineeship. You may be eligible to apply for Back to Education support if you are currently in receipt of a social welfare payment.