Northern Ireland

Ulster University launches free online courses for workers affected by Covid-19

Short online courses are being offered for free
Short online courses are being offered for free Short online courses are being offered for free

ULSTER University is launching free online courses for workers affected by Covid-19.

The Department for the Economy is funding 500 places to help retrain people whose jobs have been impacted by the pandemic.

The courses have been developed by UU's Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment and its Business School.

They are a response to the department's call for short-term initiatives to protect businesses.

The pandemic has had an impact on Northern Ireland's economy with many businesses closing, furloughing workers and struggling to adapt.

These online and innovative courses will provide individuals with an invaluable opportunity to enhance their skills and boost future employment prospects.

The following online skills development courses are available:

:: Postgraduate Certificate Professional Software Development (Data Science)

:: Postgraduate Certificate Artificial Intelligence

:: Flexible Qualifications Computer Aided Design and Manufacture for the Engineering Sector

:: Postgraduate Certificate in Business Analysis and Consulting

:: Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Development (Enabling Business Recovery)

The short courses commence between July and September and must be completed by November 30.

Interim Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Bartholomew said UU was playing a vital role in emerging from the crisis.

"As Northern Ireland's civic university we are committed to supporting an inclusive recovery through skills and professional development in areas such as computing, engineering, business and leadership," he said.

"This comprehensive skills support initiative is a crucial employability intervention underpinning the immediate need for priority skills and capabilities in the workplace.

"Creating a region that thrives post Covid-19 is paramount, and these courses will bring real opportunities to those impacted by the pandemic to upskill and retrain in key areas – either by helping candidates improve the competitiveness of their current organisation or by supporting unemployed workers into new employment. Having access to such skills will help organisations and businesses across Northern Ireland embrace new technologies and flourish."

In April, the Department for the Economy partnered with the Open University (OU) to offer a range of free training courses to help people improve their skills and wellbeing.

The OU courses cover digital skills, employability and essential skills. The options include digital literacy, cybersecurity, entrepreneurship, leadership, communication, maths and English.

Those too were aimed at furloughed workers and others who lost their job as a result of the pandemic.

In addition, the north's six FE colleges have launched a drive to promote business recovery through part-time learning.