Skills Initiative Branch

Skill Up

The Skill Up programme provides reskilling and upskilling opportunities to participants, benefitting their employment opportunities and enhancing Northern Ireland’s continuously growing and diversifying economy.

Participants must be aged 18+ and must have the right to work in Northern Ireland.

The programme is delivered in partnership with local colleges and universities and offers free courses in priority economic sectors.

For more information on Skill Up, visit Skill Up | nidirect .

Inclusive Futures

The Inclusive Futures programme aims to enable those who are economically inactive, seeking opportunities to future proof their skills to establish themselves firmly within the work force.

The programme focuses on underrepresented groups such as female returners, females into leadership, individuals with neurodiversity and those with additional obstacles to learning and employment.

Participants gain industry relevant skills which are based on an accredited qualification, as well as a funded work placement aligned with employer needs. The programme seeks to equip participants for a smooth transition into sustainable, long-term employment and/or additional training.

Step Up

Step Up aims to give those who are not in education, employment, or training an opportunity to build their confidence, explore career options, build on existing skills and gain qualifications while also benefiting from one-to-one mentorship.

Step Up is delivered in three strands:

• College Connect + - aimed at those aged 16-24 who are not in education, employment, or training.
• Disability Access Route to Education and Employment (DARE) - open to all who have a disability, are aged 16 years or over and are unemployed or economically inactive.
• Women Returners Access Programme (WRAP) – for unemployed or economically inactive women aged 18 years plus

Other help includes supported work experience, action planning and careers advice.

For more information on the programme, visit Step Up and Step Up – the person-centred skills project | nidirect

SME Productivity Booster

The SME Productivity Booster initiative provides a road map for small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) in Northern Ireland towards increased productivity, whilst delivering the skills that will see them achieve this goal. It aids in the development of better working practices, increased competitiveness, and economic growth.

Businesses based in Northern Ireland with less than 250 employees can avail of 30 hours of tailored mentoring and training from technical staff based in Further Education Colleges throughout Northern Ireland.

For more information on SME Productivity Booster, visit SME Productivity Booster | nibusinessinfo.co.uk

Green Skills

In May 2025, Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald launched the Green Skills Action Plan, which provides a framework to guide government, employers and educationalists on the skills required to deliver on decarbonisation.

Additionally, the Department has established several expert-led working groups which oversee different aspects of the Green Skills strategy for Northern Ireland.

For more information on the Action Plan, visit Green Skills Action Plan .

CITB NI

CITB NI (Construction Industry Training Board Northern Ireland) is a non-departmental public body established to promote training in Northern Ireland's construction industry.

The Department is responsible for overseeing CITB NI, including the appointment of its board members, and provides funding and support for its activities. CITB NI's role involves various initiatives, such as grant systems for employers and training programmes to develop the construction workforce and address skills shortages.

For more information on CITB NI, visit CITB - Home