18 September 2017

New online portal for apprenticeships in Northern Ireland

The Department for the Economy has now added apprenticeships, including Higher Level Apprenticeships, onto its new online portal Connect to Success NI. To date, this website, for the advertisement and application of opportunities has supported school work experience. Connect to Success NI is a free online resource enabling employers to advertise apprenticeships (including Higher Level Apprenticeships) as well as school work experience opportunities. It provides those seeking to launch or develop their careers the opportunity to search for these positions through a dedicated central source.

Permanent Secretary for the Department, Dr Andrew McCormick said: "Apprenticeships are vital in helping to train the skilled workers of the future ensuring the skills being developed are matched to future industry needs. For individual companies this means they are helping to fill any skills gaps as well as allowing businesses to source future managers and leaders from within. Connect to Success NI gives employers access to a wider range of potential applicants seeking opportunities helping them to find the right person for their vacancy. For applicants, it offers an opportunity to find an apprenticeship which will offer a salary and ‘off-the-job' training, while achieving vocational qualifications. More information is available at NIBusiness Info website."

Lisa Taylor, Apprentice Recruitment Coordinator for Savers and Superdrug, one of the first employers to place an apprenticeship on the site added: "Superdrug and Savers are launching our apprenticeship programme in Northern Ireland and feel that ‘Connect to Success NI' is a great way for us to reach our target market and engage with young people looking for a career in Retail. The support we have received from the Department for the Economy through the set-up process has been great and we look forward to a continued working relationship as this progresses."

Source: Department for the Economy