Academies
At Northern Regional College we work closely with Department for the Economy, local councils and employers to deliver pre-employment training programmes to support and develop Northern Ireland’s economy.
Hospitality Academy
In partnership with the NI Hospitality School, Northern Regional College are offering a 5 week training programme designed to help adults get into the world of hospitality to develop skills and knowledge through a range of knowledge based and practical hands-on activities.
Northern Regional College has developed and will deliver the Hospitality Academy with full participation from NI Hospitality School with training will be delivered at Galgorm Resort Ballymena. Local hospitality businesses will facilitate; site visits, guest speaker sessions and work placements, candidates who complete the course will be offered a "guaranteed" interview in a high-quality hospitality business.
Eligibility/Financial Support
- Open to all adults 18+ who live in the Ballymena area.
- Each student will receive an allowance of £50/week for the 5-week duration of the course + a bonus for full weeks attendance of £60. Student bonus on course completion of £50.
- Students will receive a daily food allowance of £10.
- A daily travel allowance is also available (max of 44p per mile)
- All student payments are made a week in lieu.
- No formal qualifications are required to attend this course.
- Jobs and Benefits claimant payments will not be affected by training allowance, travel expenses or any bonus received whilst in training.
- Excellent chance of part-time or full-time permanent employment with an excellent local employer
- Aimed at those not in education, employment, or training, but open to everyone.
- Students must be willing to complete a placement visit at a quality employer.
For further information please complete this form. Course funded by Gallaher Trust
NI Hospitality School
NI Hospitality School has teamed up with Northern Regional College to offer candidates Level 2 Award in Professional Bartending (Cocktails) - City & Guilds and FDQ Level 2 Diploma in Professional Chef. These courses provide the opportunity to fast-track employment and a rewarding career in the hospitality industry for those with the passion and commitment to succeed. The courses will have a mix of both virtual and face-to-face learning giving candidates the opportunity to 'earn while you learn'.
The aims of these qualifications are to:
- Meet the needs of candidates who wish to work in the hospitality industry.
- Allow candidates to learn, develop and practice the skills required for employment and/or career progression in the hospitality sector.
For further information visit NI Hospitality School
Assured Skills Academy - Welding Academy
If you’re interested in a career in the manufacturing sector, training opportunities are available at the Welding Academy.
The Welding Academy is a seven week intensive training course (including the two weeks employer based training consolidation) which will prepare you for welding positions currently available in the engineering and manufacturing sector under the Assured Skills Programme.
Benefits
- Guaranteed interview with a participating company if you successfully complete the course
- Weekly training allowance - £155
- Weekly travel expenses
- Childcare allowance (if eligible)
- Gain an industry recognised welding qualification
How to apply
For further information, eligibility criteria and to register your interest visit NI Direct.
Hydrogen Training Academy
Northern Regional College, led by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, will play an important role in Northern Ireland’s first ever Hydrogen Training Academy. The new Ballymena-based Academy will support the development of a skilled workforce to take full advantage of emerging hydrogen and cleantech opportunities.
A consortium of key industry players involved in the Academy includes Wrightbus, Energia, Translink, Firmus, and EP UK Investments.
Academy trainees will have access to a new state-of-the-art training pod based at Silverwood Business Park. The H2 Gas Safe Lab is the first of two Academy training facilities for the Ballymena area and is targeted at the NI Gas Safe Register plumbing and heating industry to provide a competence testing space for work with commercial level equipment. It is the first mixed-gas hydrogen-testing lab in the UK for Gas Safe engineers, with multiple systems to help reduce carbon footprints in houses and offices.
The second training facility housed at Northern Regional College will focus on the production of hydrogen through specialist training equipment. It will provide a technology familiarisation teaching space for all levels in the basics of green hydrogen.
For further information, contact:
Alan Reid, Innovation Manager
E: alan.reid@nrc.ac.uk
Career opportunities with the Manufacturing Academy
In partnership with Mid and East Antrim Manufacturing Task force, we offer a five-week fully funded manufacturing training programme. Funded by the Gallaher Trust, this programme is designed to re-invigorate the manufacturing sector in Ballymena and deliver pre-employment training to help people secure employment in the sector.
Taught by industry experts, participants will be introduced to a range of manufacturing processes, standard operating procedures, quality control and lean techniques and will have the opportunity to develop ‘softer skills’ such as communication, team working, interview skills and CV building to enhance their job prospects.
Benefits for YOU
- A weekly training allowance of up to £60 and daily food and travel allowance
- Guaranteed job interview leading to potential employment
- College certificate
- Links to further training programmes
Benefits for EMPLOYERS
- Access to new pre-trained employees who fully understand the core principles required to succeed in today’s manufacturing sector
- Links to Jobstart Scheme if new employees aged 18-24
- Involvement in developing training at industry standards
Eligibility Criteria
You must be 18 years of age or over and live in the wider Ballymena area.
You do not require any qualifications to be eligible for a place on this course.
How to Apply
For further information contact:
E: business.engagement@nrc.ac.uk
Course Outline
The academy has been designed to help adults to develop skills and knowledge through a range of knowledge based and practical hands-on activities.
Project Aims
- To help candidates gain basic hospitality skills and secure employment.
- To support recruitment and retention of good people in the industry.
Collaborative Approach
Northern Regional College has developed and will deliver the Hospitality Academy with full participation from NI Hospitality School.
Local hospitality businesses will facilitate; site visits, guest speaker sessions and work placements, candidates who complete the course will be offered a "guaranteed" interview in a high-quality hospitality business.
Gallaher Trust will fund; course costs, paid training allowance, travelling and subsistence allowance for days at college.
Eligibility/Financial Support
- Open to all adults 18+ who live in the Ballymena area.
- Each student will receive an allowance of £50/week for the 5-week duration of the course plus a bonus for full weeks attendance of £60. Student bonus on course completion of £50.
- Students will receive a daily food allowance of £10.
- A daily travel allowance is also available (max of 44p per mile)
- All student payments are made a week in lieu.
- No formal qualifications are required to attend this course.
- Jobs and Benefits claimant payments will not be affected by training allowance, travel expenses or any bonus received whilst in training.
- Excellent chance of part-time or full-time permanent employment with an excellent local employer
- Aimed at those not in education, employment, or training, but open to everyone.
- Students must be willing to complete a placement visit at a quality employer.
