Need Help Applying for a course?
Student Handbook
Funding Support for Students
The Traineeship provides a high-quality vocational education and training programme at Level 2 and is aimed at school leavers and adults who aspire to work within a specific sector. The Traineeship is available to all school leavers and adults providing participants with the skills and qualifications necessary to secure employment in their chosen occupation. Each Traineeship has been developed with employers to ensure that what you learn and the skills you develop are what employers are looking for. The Traineeship will allow participants to progress to an apprenticeship at Level 3 or alternatively to Further Education at Level 3.
The Traineeship programme will provide a high-quality vocational education and training programme, including structured work-based learning, to people who are not yet in employment or not yet working in their chosen occupational area.
The new Traineeship programme will allow participants to achieve a full Level 2 qualification and will comprise the following key elements:
This Level 2 Carpentry and Joinery qualification is designed to equip learners with the knowledge and skills to pursue a career within the Construction industry. It is necessary for applicants to be in appropriate employment or work placement. The course supports the knowledge and Skills development required for access to the Carpentry or Joinery working environment as a competent tradesperson....
The Level 2 Wet Trades qualification has been designed to develop and recognize your skills, knowledge and competence so that you can work in the construction industry as a competent tradesperson. South West College offers Level 2 qualifications for plastering.
This qualification is intended for those who want to gain the practical skills and knowledge in the plumbing and heating sector to work as a competent tradesperson.
The course supports the skills and knowledge development requirements for access into the engineering working environment and contains 2 components: 1 Engineering qualifications (Combined)Level 2 Diploma in Engineering2. Essential Skills at an appropriate level in: NumeracyLiteracy3. D...
Level 2 Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair is for learners commencing or developing a career in the motor industry. This practical qualification demonstrates their skills in removing and replacing parts competently on light vehicles.
This course is for candidates looking to develop the key skills and understanding in motor vehicle systems. Successful candidates will have the basic skills needed to apply for an automotive apprenticeship or similar engineering pathway. It will allow candidates to learn, develop and practise the skills required for employment and/or career progression in the automotive industry.
This qualification is a work related, competence based qualification. It reflects the skills and knowledge needed to do a job effectively, and shows that a learner is competent in the area of work the qualification represents. Learners will have access to state of the art machinery and equipment which will enable them to work in the Land Based Engineering industry.
This exciting new course has been designed by Hospitality and Tourism employers to allow learners to sample across a wide range of roles in the sector. It has a strong emphasis on the ‘soft skill’ development needed in the world of work. Learners will not only develop practical skills enabling them to access the workplace immediately, but the course will also help them make informed decisions a...
This traineeship is aimed at learners interested in following a career path in IT/Computing who have achieved less than four GCSEs at Grade C . This course provides a practical, work related introduction to Computing and IT. Learners will also be able to develop and enhance their employability skills through this traineeship.
As well as providing you with the technical skills and knowledge in your chosen area, the Traineeship will help you to develop a range of transversal skills that are important for employment including:
Project Based Learning will also be a key feature of Traineeships. This is a dynamic approach to learning in which you will 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.
The majority of NI Traineeships will typically take up to two years to complete on a full-time basis. Some NI Traineeships take one year to complete including:
Participants who achieve qualifications during the first year may progress to an apprenticeship or further education earlier.
*Planned for September 2023 subject to sector approval.
Applicants will be required to hold a minimum of a Level 1 qualification defined as 4 GCSEs at grades D-G including Maths and English grades D-F or equivalent. Enhanced entry grades apply in certain areas as below.
Professional / Technical area
GCSE Maths Grade
GCSE English Grade
Light Vehicle Repair
D
E
Heavy Vehicle Repair
Carpentry and Joinery
Brickwork
Plastering & Dry Wall Lining
Plumbing
Engineering
Retail
Land-Based Engineering Agricultural Machinery Repair
Applicants who do not meet the enhanced entry criteria will enter an Introductory Phase of the Traineeship. Upon enrolment trainees will undertake initial assessments which can confirm whether they should enter the full Traineeship or the Introductory Phase.
Those that complete qualifications equivalent to five GCSEs at Grade C including English (or Level 2 Communication) and Maths (or Level 2 Application of Number) will receive an overarching Traineeship Certificate issued by the Department for the Economy.
Trainees who do not achieve all of the components will be recognised for partial achievement. This may mean that the trainee passes the Technical Qualification but does not achieve a Grade C in English (or Level 2 Communication) or a Grade C in Maths (or Level 2 Application of Number). Trainees who have partial achievement may be able to progress to Level 3 Further Education.
Trainees who secure employment, in their chosen occupational area, during their traineeship may be able to transfer to a Level 2 Apprenticeship. As an apprentice, if you become unemployed during your apprenticeship, you may be able to transfer onto a Traineeship to complete your programme.
All trainees who have attained the Full Traineeship Certificate, can progress within South West College to a Level 3 further education course or a Level 3 Apprenticeship (with your work placement employer). This can lead to Higher Education options.
Trainees can apply for an FE Grant of up to £2,092 per year which is means tested and non-repayable. The deadline to be guaranteed support is 30th June although applications are open until the 30th September.Hardship Fund
If you are age 18 or over on 1 July 2021 and suffering from financial hardship you may be eligible for financial assistance through the College’s Hardship Fund. Assistance from the Hardship Fund is means tested and can only be provided once all other sources of funding have been explored. Childcare can be supported through the Hardship Fund if support is unavailable from the FE Award and Care to Learn.
If you are required to engage with online learning South West College may facilitate this by lending the IT equipment which you require.
Trainees will receive free Health and Safety Equipment and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). There may also be a requirement for trainees on Health and Social Care courses to be vaccinated when undertaking placements in hospital settings.
Trainees will be eligible to apply for a bus pass. Bus passes are issued through the Education Authority (EA). To receive a bus pass, a trainee must:
Trainees will also be reimbursed for their travel costs to work placement.
Trainees under 18 years of age at 31st July, before the start of the academic year, 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 reception and should be collected on a weekly basis.
Trainees will receive a high level of pastoral care from College staff with appropriate support mechanisms in place.
If you are or become a parent and are aged between 16 and 19 at the start of the course, then you may be entitled to assistance with childcare costs.
ROI trainees are eligible to apply to undertake a Traineeship. You may be eligible to apply for Back to Education support if you are currently in receipt of a Social Welfare payment.
An Employer Guide to Traineeships is now available providing an overview of the Northern Ireland Traineeship, range of Traineeships available, alignment to Apprenticeships and Frequently Asked Questions.