Traineeships

The Traineeship programme will typically take one to two years to complete on a full-time basis.

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. Some areas have enhanced criteria for English and Maths at GCSE - as shown in the table below.

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.

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.

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

Trainees may be entitled to an Education Maintenance Allowance. EMA pays £30 per week and is available to 16–19-year-olds (means tested). Attendance is monitored and payment is dependent on full weekly attendance in all subject areas including placement. Bonuses are also payable on the achievement of qualifications.

EMA application packs can be downloaded from www.emani.gov.uk.

Further Education Grant

You can apply for a Further Education Grant which is means test and non-repayable. The deadline to be guaranteed support is 30 June, although applications are open until 30 September.

Application packs are available from the college reception areas or further information on how to apply can be found at www.eani.org.uk/fegrants

Hardship Fund

If you are age 18 or over on 1 July before the start of the academic year 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 through the FE Award and Care to Learn.

More information on how to apply can be found here.

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.

You will be eligible to apply for a bus pass.

Bus passes are issued through the Education Authority (EA).

To receive a bus pass, you must:

• be under 19 on 1 July before the start of the academic year
• be studying a recognised full time further education or traineeship course
• live at least three miles from your nearest college

You will also be reimbursed for your travel costs to work placement.

If you’re under 18 years of age on 31 July, before the start of the academic year, you may be entitled to free school meals.

Your parent or guardian must apply to the Education Authority.

School meal tickets will be available from college reception areas 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.