Minister announces 3,000 funded online training places

Economy Minister Diane Dodds has announced 3,000 free online training places for people whose employment has been disrupted by the pandemic.
By Claire Cartmill
Published 7th Oct 2020, 06:00 BST
Pictured with the Economy Minister at Southern Regional College’s Banbridge campus are: Professor Brian Murphy, Ulster University, Professor David Jones, Queen's University, Belfast, John D'Arcy, National Director for the Open University in Northern Ireland, Brian Doran, Chief Executive and Principal of Southern Regional College and Ken Webb, Chair of the FE Colleges' Principals' GroupPictured with the Economy Minister at Southern Regional College’s Banbridge campus are: Professor Brian Murphy, Ulster University, Professor David Jones, Queen's University, Belfast, John D'Arcy, National Director for the Open University in Northern Ireland, Brian Doran, Chief Executive and Principal of Southern Regional College and Ken Webb, Chair of the FE Colleges' Principals' Group
Pictured with the Economy Minister at Southern Regional College’s Banbridge campus are: Professor Brian Murphy, Ulster University, Professor David Jones, Queen's University, Belfast, John D'Arcy, National Director for the Open University in Northern Ireland, Brian Doran, Chief Executive and Principal of Southern Regional College and Ken Webb, Chair of the FE Colleges' Principals' Group

Representing an investment of £4.6million, the courses will have a focus on digital skills and be delivered by the local colleges and universities.

Encouraging people to apply, the Minister said: “I am keenly aware of the impact Covid-19 has had on the employment of so many people across a wide range of sectors. These 3,000 online training places will provide people with the opportunity to upskill and reskill, enabling them to pursue a career in what are growing local sectors. Developing the skills of our people right across Northern Ireland is a key priority for me as we begin the process of rebuilding our economy. This investment builds on my previous announcement in June of £1.7million for online training places and I am determined to keep skills at the centre of our long term strategic plans. Courses will be available from both further and higher education institutions and I urge anyone who is eligible to access this free training.”

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The courses will be delivered online, except where there is a technical aspect which requires face-to-face learning. More details of the courses available and how to access them are at https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/free-short-term-courses-improve-skills

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Related topics:Diane DoddsNorthern IrelandCovid-19