News
New Traineeship pathways at Belfast Met announced starting this September
Belfast Met is delighted to be delivering a new vocational and training programme announced by Economy Minister Paul Frew. The new Traineeship programme for people over 16 years is available in a wide range of sectors from September, with further traineeships being introduced in the following year.
This new system of learning is being delivered by the six further education colleges, with Traineeships available in a broad range of employment areas that have support for work-based learning which is being provided by local employers.
The aim of the NI Traineeship is to provide learners with a solid foundation of skills, experience and qualifications that are recognised by employers and relevant to opportunities in today’s labour market. It will also provide learners with knowledge and skills as a basis to access future opportunities for employment, or further study at a higher level.
The traineeships at Belfast Met will be available in the following areas:
• Brickwork
• Carpentry and Joinery
• Engineering
• Motor Vehicle (Light)
• Hairdressing
• Plumbing
The Level 2 Traineeship is an excellent high-quality vocational education and training programme for aimed school leavers and adults and replaces the Training for Success Skills for Work Level 2 provision.
Each Traineeship has been developed with employers to ensure that leaners will get the skills that employers are looking for. It will allow students to progress into their chosen career pathway, such as a Level 3 Apprenticeship or other Level Further Education course.
Ken Webb, Chair of the FE Colleges Principals’ Group said: “The Traineeship is an exciting opportunity for any person seeking to skill up in their chosen vocation while also working and gaining crucial practical knowledge, and we are thrilled to see even more courses opening up for learners across Northern Ireland.
“Now more than ever, people are weighing their options and looking for careers that work for them and that offer long-term opportunities and the chance to progress. Traineeships provide learners with high quality vocational education and training programmes, while also pairing up students with employers and starting that crucial working relationship that often leads to employment.
“The skills gap in Northern Ireland has never been more apparent, and with focus now turning to recovery post-pandemic, it is welcome to see today’s launch by the Minister. The Traineeship will give learners a skilled and learner-focused pathway which will put them on the road to a successful career in their chosen vocation. We would encourage anyone seeking new opportunities to consider a traineeship at your local regional college.”
The new Traineeship Level 2 qualification will include the following elements:
· A main vocational based qualification, equivalent to at least 3 GCSEs in the chosen occupational area
· Vocational skills development
· Transversal and digital skills
· Work placement
· Literacy and numeracy qualifications at Level 2 (may include GCSE qualifications in English and mathematics)
· Additional qualifications deemed necessary for work within a sector e.g. Health and Safety, CSR, manual handling
As well as providing technical skills and knowledge in a chosen area, the Traineeship will help learners to develop a range of transferable skills that employers are looking for including:
• Problem solving
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Time management
• Entrepreneurship
A key feature of the Traineeship is Project Based Learning that will explore real-world problems and challenges that have been developed with employers. With this type of active and engaged learning students will receive a deeper knowledge of the subjects and develop a range of hands-on skills.
Read more about Belfast Met’s Traineeships here and to apply visit http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/traineeships