Skills for Life & Work is a government programme that provides training for young people (Age 16 – 21 or up to 23 if in care) seeking additional help with learning in the areas of Retail, Customer Service, Horticulture, Personal Development, Literacy, Numeracy & ICT. In partnership with the Southern Regional College we are also offering Construction and Hospitality & Catering.
This training programme is available across Newry, Mourne & Down and Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon areas of Northern Ireland, currently based in Slieve Gullion Courtyard and Mayfair Business Centre.
Aged 16-21 years old
(or up to 23 years old if in care)
Recognised learning difficulty / disability
Not currently in education, employment or training
Skills for Life & Work encompasses a range of vocational training and practical activities, including a work placement or work experience and personal development workshops. You’ll also create and sell products as part of Social Enterprise activities and are offered the opportunity to attend day trips and fun activities throughout the year.
DECEMBER 2024
Staff development day Thursday 19th December
Christmas Holidays – Friday 20th December 2024 to Wednesday 1st January 2025 (Inclusive)
All trainees are due back to Clanrye Group or work placement on Thursday 2nd January
MARCH 2025
St. Patrick’s Day – Monday 17th March 2025
APRIL 2025
Staff Training Day – Wednesday 16th April 2025
EASTER 2025
Trainees last day before their Easter holidays will be Thursday 17th April 2025
Easter holidays – Monday 21st April 2025 to Friday 25th April 2025
All trainees are due back to Clanrye Group or work placement on Monday 28th April 2025
MAY 2025
Early Bank Holiday – Monday 5th May 2025
Late Bank Holiday – Monday 26th May 2025
JUNE 2025
Staff Training Day – Wednesday 25th June 2025
SUMMER HOLIDAYS JULY 2025 – 2 WEEKS
Trainees last day will be Thursday 10th July 2025 – Training will finish at 12pm
July summer holidays – Monday 14th July – Friday 25th July 2025
Trainees are due back to Clanrye Group or work placement on Monday 28th July 2025
SUMMER HOLIDAYS AUGUST 2025 – 1 WEEK
Trainees last day will be Thursday 15th August
August summer holidays – Monday 18th August – Friday 22nd August 2025
Trainees are due back to Clanrye Group or work placement on Monday 25th August 2025
AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY 2025
Trainees will be off on Monday 25th August 2025 – Summer Bank Holiday
HALLOWEEN BREAK 2025
Trainees last day before the Halloween break will be Thursday 23rd October Finish time is 12pm.
Halloween holidays – Monday 27th October – Friday 31st October 2025
All trainees are due back to Clanrye Group or work placement on Monday 3rd November 2025
Garett
Garret completed the Training for Success programme in March 2022. He chose horticulture as his preferred occupational area and soon discovered he loved working outdoors. Garret put his horticulture training to the test with work placements in Warrenpoint Golf Club and Killeavy Castle where he had landscaping responsibilities. During his time on the programme Garret developed excellent gardening skills which didn’t go unnoticed by his tutors, and just before he was about to complete the programme he got offered full-time employment with Clanrye/IDVerde as a landscaping operative.
Michael
Between September 2018 and September 2021 Michael achieved an Entry Level 2 in Numeracy, Entry Level 3 in Literacy and a Level 1 in ICT. Alongside a Level 1 in Horticulture, Personal Development and Employability. Michael was accepted on to a Level 2 Hospitality course in the SRC Portadown Campus and enjoys popping in to say hello to our current hospitality students. Michael enjoyed getting his hands dirty at both his work placements in Oxford Island and C&J’s Animal Park. He didn’t need any help with his confidence during his time with us but instead he offered plenty of peer support to the other students.
Hannah
Between September 2018 and September 2021 Hannah achieved a Level 1 in Numeracy, a Level 2 in Literacy and a Level 2 in ICT. Alongside a Level 1 in Retail, Personal Development and Employability Hannah was accepted onto a Media Studies Level 2 course in the SRC. Hannah was named Trainee of the Year for her hard work and dedication during her time with us. Her confidence grew as she progressed through the programme starting off behind the scenes in her placement at British Heart Foundation to serving customers at the front of the shop.
