Business Events

Look up. Move up. Skill up.

The Department for the Economy, with funding from the Northern Ireland Office and the Department of Finance, is supporting free short courses, delivered by the local further and higher education providers.

There are up to 7000 free places available until end of March 2024.

Opportunities are available from entry to postgraduate levels, focussing on skills identified by industry, linked to priority economic sectors, including:

digital skills
green technologies
healthcare and life sciences
advanced manufacturing
leadership and management
Most courses will be delivered online and will provide an opportunity to re-skill and upskill into areas where job growth is expected to be high as we emerge from the impact of coronavirus.

Courses available
Find out what courses are available from local colleges and universities below. For more information on specific courses, visit the provider’s website.

The Open University
Digital
Cisco: DevOps using DevNet
AWS: Machine Learning Foundations
Cyber Security Operations (CISCO)
AWS: Solutions Architect (in collaboration with Amazon Web Services)
Leadership and Management
Business Management: Fundamentals of Management Accounting
Business Management: People Management and Leadership
Business Management : Financial accounting for non accounting roles
Business Management: Project Management
Agile Leadership and Management (in collaboration with the Agile Business Consortium)
Management of Change: Organisation Development and Design
Green Technologies
Climate Change: Transforming your Organisation for Sustainability
Other
Teacher development: Embedding mental health in the curriculum. - endorsed by the Mental Health Foundation
Further information and details on how to apply can be found at Open University Skill Up courses.(external link opens in a new window / tab)

Queen’s University Belfast
Digital
Applied Cyber Security (PG Cert)
Audiovisual Post-production (PG Cert)
PG Cert in Cinematic Architecture
Data Analytics (PG Cert)
Data Analytics and Decision Making
Data Driven Essentials
Digital Marketing Strategies
Digital Transformation Toolbox
Innovation Leadership
Software Development (PG Cert/PG Dip)
Strategic Change Leadership for Digital Transformation
Green Technologies
PG Cert in Engineering of Energy, Economics and the Environment
Hydrogen Energy Systems (PG Cert)
Zero Carbon Engineering (PG Cert/PG Dip)
Manufacturing and Engineering
Advanced Manufacturing Leadership
Innovation and Technology
Mechanical Engineering with Management (PG Cert)
Life and Health Sciences
Biostatistics and Bioinformatics

Advanced Professional Practice (Care of Older People)

Leadership and Management
Mini MBA
Leadership for a Disrupted World
Leading Transformation through Cultural Change
Design Thinking Innovation
Innovation strategy and Digital Disruption
Operations and Supply Chain Management (PG Cert)
Further information and details on how to apply can be found at Queen's University Skill Up courses.(external link opens in a new window / tab)

Ulster University
Digital
Advanced Cert in Management & Practice Transformational Management in a Digital World
Artificial Intelligence
Computer Science
Data Science
Design, Research and Development (Animation)
Professional Software Development (Architecture and Design)
Green Technologies
Energy Management and Green Technology
Hydrogen Safety
Life and Health Sciences
Coding Skills for Biologists
Environmental Management
Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Monitoring
Machine Learning
Molecular and Pharmaceutical Analysis
Pharmaceutical Analysis
Engineering and Manufacturing
Advanced Composites and Polymers
Biomedical Engineering
Manufacturing Management
Mechanical Engineering
Smart Manufacturing Systems
Leadership and Management
Enabling Business Resilience
Executive Leadership
Understanding International Business
Financial Services
Financial theory, products and markets
Regulation and Compliance
Other
Business Sustainability and Innovation
Managing and Leading People
Strategic Marketing
Further information and details on how to apply can be found at: Ulster University courses and eLearning (external link opens in a new window / tab)

Stranmillis University College
PG Cert in Blended Learning
Further information and details on how to apply can be found at:

Stranmillis University College (external link opens in a new window / tab)
Belfast Metropolitan College
Digital
Creative & Digital Technologies Programme
Cyber Security Essentials
Digital Marketing and Social Media
Data Analytics using BI
Machine Learning using Azure
HTML & CSS
Programming in Java
Programming in Python
Level 2 Award In 2D Computer Aided Design
OCN Level 2 Award in Digital Marketing
OCN Level 2 Award in Digital Skills within Construction
OCN Level 3 Award in Digital Construction with BIM
Health and Social Care
CACHE Level 2 Introductory Awareness of Autistic Spectrum Conditions
CACHE Level 3 Support Individuals with Autistic Conditions
NCFE CACHE Level 3 Award for Special Educational Needs Coordinators in Early Years Settings
NOCN Level 2 Award in Meeting the Needs of Learners with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
OCN Level 2 Award in Managing Challenging Behaviour in Children and Young People
OCN Level 2 Award in Mental Health Awareness
Introduction to Counselling Skills
Understanding Substance Misuse
Award in Transition to Playwork
OCN NI Level 2 Award in Early Years Learning, Care and Development
OCN NI Level 2 Award in Introduction to Mindfulness and Reducing Anxiety in Children
Infant and Child Mental Health Level 2 Award
Leadership and Management
ILM Level 3 Award in Leadership and Management
ILM Level 5 Certificate in Leadership and Management
Engineering and Manufacturing
L2 Award in Welding
Green Technologies
Award in Hydrogen Skills (Level 2 & Level 3)
Other
Payroll in Business IAB Level 2
Women Returners: Press Refresh Programme
Further information and details on how to apply can be found at Belfast Met Skill Up courses(external link opens in a new window / tab)

Northern Regional College
Digital
Digital Marketing
Digital Prototype Design and Manufacture
Social Media
Social Media and Digital Marketing
Green Technologies
Hybrid Electrical Vehicle Repair
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology
Hydrogen Level 2
Engineering and Manufacturing
Welding Level 2
Health and Social Care
Award in Health and Social Care
Award in Infant and Child Mental Health and its Impact on Social and Emotional Development
Award in Supporting Individuals with learning difficulties Level 3
Award in Understanding Protection and Safeguarding
Awareness of Dementia
Awareness of Mental Health and Wellbeing
Meeting the Needs of Learners with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in the Mainstream Classroom
Mindfulness and Reducing Anxiety in Children
Working with Children and Young People with Special Needs
Understanding adverse Childhood Experiences and Building Resilience Level 4
Working with Parents Level 4
Certificate in Supporting Individuals with Special Needs and Disabilities Level 4
Supporting Adults with Autism Level 3
Tackling Domestic Abuse Level 3
Counselling Level 2
Transition to Playwork Level 3

Leadership and Management
Management and Leadership Principles of Innovation
Principles of management and Leadership Managing a team to achieve results
Principles of management and Leadership supporting the delivery of customer service
Trade, Export and Logistics
Global Logistics
Green Logistics
Inventory Management
Logistics and Transport
Other
Business Development Skills

Principles of Customer Service Level 2

Tour Guiding Level 2

Award in Understanding Nutrition, Performance and Healthy Eating Level 3

Further information and details on how to apply can be found at NRC Skill Up courses.(external link opens in a new window / tab)

North West Regional College
Digital
C&G Level 1 & 2 Computerised Accounts
C&G Level 1 Manual Bookkeeping & Accounts
Cisco Scaling Networks (Cybersecurity)
Digital Marketing Level 2
Digital Marketing Level 4
Kick-start IT Programme (Strabane)
OCN Level 2 Award in Digital Fabrication
OCN NI Exploring Social Media
OCN NI Spreadsheet Software
OCN NI Website Software
Software Testing
Green Technologies
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
Electric Vehicle Level 2
Electric Vehicle Level 3
Health and Social care
Awareness of End of Life Care
Dementia Awareness
Supporting Individuals Living with Dementia Level 1 Award
OCN NI Mental Health Awareness
OCN L2 Introduction to Mindfulness and Reducing Anxiety in Children
Phlebotomy (Award)
Phlebotomy Level 3 Certificate
Substance Misuse Level 2
Adult Health and Social Care (Diploma Level 2 & Level 3)
Engineering and Manufacturing
Level 1 Award Welding
Level 1 Certificate Welding
Welding - Level 2
Welding - Level 3
Leadership and Management
CIPD L3
CIPD L5
ILM Level 3

ILM Level 5
Trade, Export and Logistics
Institute of Export Level 3 Customs Practitioner Award
International Transport and Documentation (Level 3 Certificate in International Trade)
Financial Services
Level 2 Award in Fundamentals of Financial Services
Level 1 Manual Bookkeeping & Accounts
Other
Business Development Skills
Women Returners
Further information and details on how to apply can be found at NWRC Skill Up courses.(external link opens in a new window / tab)