DfE Funding supports NI companies to upskill
April 27, 2021
Skills Focus funding is available to NI based companies only who employ 250 people or less and are not a registered charity or community group
South Eastern Regional College (SERC) plumbing, electrical and heating courses can be funded by the Department for the Economy (DfE) Skills Focus Programme (Skills Focus funding), available to NI based companies only who employ 250 people or less and are not a registered charity or community group.
| Course | Eligible for full funding from DfE (to 31/3/22) | Full Cost |
| OFTEC (new operatives) 101, 105e, 600a | Yes FREE | £400 |
| OFTEC (Renewal Only) 101,105e, 600a | No | £290 |
| Domestic Gas Managed Learning Programme | Yes - FREE | £800 |
| Commercial Gas | No | £750 |
| Domestic Gas | No | £650 |
| LPG | No | £288 |
| Gas Appliances | No | £210 |
| Unvented Hot Water | No | £145 |
| Water Safety in Health Care | No | £150 |
| Legionella | No | £150 |
| Air Source Heat Pumps | Yes - FREE | £650 |
| Solar PV photovoltaic | Yes - FREE | ----- |
| Electrical Vehicle Charging | Yes - FREE | ----- |
| Electrical Battery Storage | tbc | |
| Solid Fuel OFTEC | No | £240 |
| Anaerobic Digestion | Yes - FREE | ---- |
| Gas Auditing | Yes - FREE | £280 |
| Water regulations | No | £145 |
| Plumbing NVQ Level 3 – experienced worker route (eligibility and professional interview required) | Yes - FREE | £4688 |
| City and Guilds Professional Recognition Awards Level 4/5/6/7 – designed for employees who do not hold relevant level qualifications that reflect the level of their current job role | Yes - FREE | £795 |
The courses above currently run from either the Newtownards or Nutts Corner Professional Skills Centres and are subject to minimum numbers and maximum capacity.
If an organisation requires staff upskilling and can meet the minimum required numbers, SERC can be flexible with time and location and look to find dates that suit the organisation this may include night classes and Saturdays.
Innovate US Free one on one Mentoring
Innovate US funding is available to NI based companies only employing 50 people or less and are not a registered charity or community group.
The focus of the programme is to enable small businesses, to get the skills to engage in innovation activities across the business. It also aims to promote progression in this area and enable businesses to undertake additional and further forms of innovation, which will contribute to their growth and development.
Up to 60 hours of mentoring to businesses can be offered. Examples of projects already undertaken are including Flue Gas Analysis, Advanced Boiler Servicing and S/Y Plan diagrams. However, if you have an idea of support that you feel would be beneficial to your business you can discuss your idea with one of the Training and Innovation Consultants who can support you through the project.
If you would like more information on any of the above or have any questions you can contact Business Development Manager Kelly Donnelly on 078 6614 6618 or kdonnelly@serc.ac.uk.
