Upskill for free - 5 career directions that might be the key to your brighter future

SKILL UP, the flexible skills fund has been designed to provide upskilling and reskilling opportunities

Published 3rd Jul 2023
Last updated 3rd Jul 2023

To build an innovative future, we will need to call on our brightest minds.

If you already have an undergraduate degree, you could unlock new opportunities for free with Queen's University Belfast.

QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY ARE OFFERING FREE COURSE PLACES, FUNDED BY THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE ECONOMY.

SKILL UP, the flexible skills fund has been designed to provide upskilling and reskilling opportunities, focused on supporting you to engage in learning and improve the skills profile of our workforce.

It could be in areas such as Green Energy, Nursing, Audio Visual Production, Engineering or more.

The courses are completely free to do and each is fully funded by Department for Economy.

Demand is expected to be high, so apply as early as possible for courses starting 23/24.

Which subjects are covered?

Here are 5 courses that are still open for applications right now.

You can check out the full list of courses here.

Audio Visual Post production

This qualification will be of interest to filmmakers, broadcast professionals and creative industries professionals who wish to improve their technical skills and knowledge of current industry practice in the area of post-production, or move into a different area of the creative industries.

Hydrogen Energy Systems

This course supports individuals who wish to undertake sustainability-focused roles in a wide range of engineering and manufacturing sectors in relation to hydrogen energy and achieving our 2050 Net Zero Emission targets.

Engineering of Energy, Economics and the Environment

Climate change and environmental sustainability are global grand challenges that need urgent attention from all parts of society, so we can combat global warming and mitigate the impacts of pollution. Many sectors have a significant skills gap in energy systems, sustainability and decarbonisation matters. Hence the aim of the course is to provide a foundation in energy systems, economic and the environment to support the global societal shift to net zero.

Zero Carbon Engineering

This course supports individuals who wish to undertake sustainability-focused roles in a wide range of engineering and manufacturing sectors in relation to our zero-carbon transition and achieving our 2050 Net Zero Emission targets.

Nursing Care of the Older Person in Care Home Settings

The course will provide students with advanced knowledge and specialist clinical skills in the practice of nursing older people. Those completing the programme will gain key, transferable and specialist skills to optimise the care of residents living in care homes.


Who can apply?

To apply, you need to meet the entry criteria for your chosen course and be;

- over 18 years of age;

- eligible to work in Northern Ireland;

- settled in Northern Ireland, and has been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least three years; or a person who has indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK

This is a great chance to boost your skills and drive your future career. Best of all, if you're eligible, participation is free!

How do I apply?

Find out how to apply here.