Forget the rest, train with the best!

Training for Success at North West Regional College offers you all this and much more. If you’re aged 16 – 18*, and want to gain practical skills that will prepare you for employment, then look no further.

This September the College has a wide range of vocational courses starting that will allow you to learn the industry skills that employers want, receive a £40 per week training allowance, and gain real work experience on site.

Trainees spend time each week both in College, in our specialist industry facilities, and on placement with an employer.

The aim of the programme is to give young people a professional qualification, and an insight into their future career. Bonus payments of up to £360 total are paid when trainees achieve certain stages in their training.

Students are also encouraged to participate in skills competitions to improve their technical abilities.

Currently NWRC is home to NI’s best trainees in Motor Vehicle Body Repair, Tiling and Electrical Installation.

Andrew McDonald, from the Springtown Centre in Londonderry, and Arron McCool and Martin McLaughlin from the Greystone Centre in Limavady will be taking on the best from the UK at the Skills Show later in the year.

Should Arron win the gold medal in Electrical Installation, he will continue the College’s winning streak at the UK competitions where we’ve retained the top prize since 2011.

Training for Success courses are available across our campuses in Londonderry, Limavady and Strabane, in Motor Vehicle Body and Paint Operations, Fitting Operations or Maintenance and Repair; Business Administration, Customer Service, Retail, Horticulture, Childcare, Health and Social Care, Playwork, Youth Work, Hospitality and Catering Supervision, Food Processing or Professional Cookery; IT/Computing, Barbering, Beauty Therapy, Hairdressing, Joinery, Brickwork, Tiling, Painting & Decorating, Electrical Installation, Fabrication & Welding, Stonemasonry, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, Gas Installation, Electrical & Electronic Servicing, Electrotechnical Services, Plumbing, Dental Nursing.

Ronan McGahon established RMG Electrics in Limavady in 2008, having completed his apprencticeship in Electrical Installation at North West Regional College.

During his time at College Ronan was one of the UK’s top ten apprentices and won a City & Guilds Medal for Excellence for his outstanding skills.

“My own experience on-site with my employer was so important when I was training,” says Ronan, “and so when I started my own business I wanted to be able to provide that opportunity for other trainees.”

“The staff at the College are first class, and equip the trainees with the theory and practical skills they need in the workplace. I always know that the trainees coming to me are interested and willing to work hard, and that they have benefitted from the lecturer’s own industry experience.”

Ronan now employs one of his former trainees, gold medal winning former NWRC student Adrian Canning, and another NWRC gold medal student, Arron McCool recently completed a placement with him.

“As an employer you are always looking to maximise productivity and I recognise that investing the time in trainees learning their trade is worth it as they in turn work hard for you.”

For those already employed and wishing to upskill, or for those who have secured employment and need to gain a relevant vocational qualification the College also offers ApprenticeshipsNI in all of the occupational skills.

In partnership with an employer participants gain a recognised qualification and can make an increased contribution to the workplace.

Applications are still being accepted for these career-focused programmes for entry in the coming weeks. If you would like to discuss the benefits of the course in more detail, or need help in completing your application contact our Training for Success team on 028 7127 6221.

Get started on a Training for Success course and get the skills, confidence and experience you need to get ahead.

*May be available for up to 24 years old where students have additional support needs