News

NRC launches Northern Ireland’s first Rail Track Engineering Apprenticeship Programme

Wednesday
20th October 2021

Northern Regional College has engaged with Translink and On Track Technicians (OTT) to deliver Northern Ireland’s first apprenticeship programme in Rail Track Engineering. A Rail Track Engineering Apprenticeship has been available in England, Scotland and Wales for a number of years but until now, had not been available in Northern Ireland. Recognising the benefits of apprenticeships in skills development for young people, local government departments engaged with the industry to promote the concept.

Northern Regional College students become all-Ireland champion golfers

Tuesday
19th October 2021

Two sports students from Northern Regional College are all-Ireland champions, having played their part in Ulster’s win over Munster in the final day of the Underage Interprovincial Golf championships at Mount Wolseley last weekend. Playing off of handicaps of three and one respectively, Adam Buchanan (Malone Golf Club) and Noah Bickerstaff (Masserene Golf Club) are both studying for a Level 3 Extended Diploma Sport Coaching and Development at Northern Regional College’s Newtownabbey campus.

Northern Ireland’s First Railway Apprenticeship Delivered at Northern Regional College

Wednesday
6th October 2021

History was made this week at Northern Regional College when fifteen apprentices began their railway apprenticeship journey with Translink and OTT (On Track Technicians). As apprentice Railway Track Technicians, they will work towards achieving a City and Guilds Level 2 Rail Engineering Operative Knowledge qualification and a City and Guilds Level 2 Rail Engineering Operative Competence qualification before progressing to relevant Level 3 qualifications. They will spend one day each week in class at the Northern Regional College Campus in Ballymena and four days with their respective employers. This is the first time ever that railway apprenticeship has been offered in Northern Ireland.

“Significant Milestone” For New College Campus

Monday
4th October 2021

A £40 million capital project, fully funded by the Department for the Economy, to develop a new state-of-the-art campus for Northern Regional College in Coleraine has reached a “significant milestone”. Demolition of the old campus has now been completed and an official Construction Notice has been issued to permit construction of the new campus building at Union Street in the town.

Northern Regional College Students Going for Gold at WorldSkills UK National Finals

Friday
1st October 2021

Eleven Northern Regional College students will be going for gold at the prestigious WorldSkills UK national finals in November – the Olympics of vocational skills. They will be among the 400 plus finalists from across 64 disciplines looking to be crowned national champion in their specific skill with an opportunity to compete in next year’s World Finals in Shanghai.

‘World of Enterprise’ - Inspiring the Next Generation of Enterpreneurs

Wednesday
29th September 2021

Northern Regional College has teamed up with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and Ballymena Business Centre to deliver an exciting project for budding entrepreneurs. The World of Enterprise project is hoping to inspire the next wave of entrepreneurs in Mid and East Antrim. Specialist advisors and business role models will offer top business tips and support to students, encouraging them to consider self-employment as a viable career option.