About

What is SkillSET?

The SkillSET project is funded by UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund

THE PROJECT

SkillSET is an innovative project aimed at providing specialised employment preparation and training for targeted groups in Northern Ireland, particularly those with disabilities and/or health conditions. The project is a collaboration between seven regional and national disability organisations from the voluntary sector, all of which have extensive experience in supporting economically inactive individuals to secure sustainable employment. SkillSET’s primary focus is to deliver specialised support to individuals with disabilities and/or health conditions who face multiple barriers to employment and are farthest from the job market.

The project aims to have a lasting impact on the lives of 4,580 people with disabilities and/or health conditions. This will be achieved through specialised pre-employment training, academies, job matching, on-the-job mentoring, and the creation of sustainable employment opportunities for individuals who are disengaged from traditional learning or job-seeking approaches. SkillSET adopts a person-centered approach that accommodates varying abilities, career interests, previous experience, and individual concerns.

The project follows a Supported Employment model, which includes the stages of referral, engagement and assessment, programme delivery, and progression and follow-up support. Referrals will be made through extensive and well-established networks, including Jobs & Benefits Agencies, Health & Social Care Trusts, schools, and colleges.

Engagement and assessment will involve assessing the suitability of the programme for each participant and creating an Individualised Action Plan that considers their unique journey to employment, taking into account their needs, aspirations, choices, and barriers.

Programme delivery will offer participants a range of activities to choose from, including accredited and non-accredited training, basic skills development, academy-based training models, and employment preparation. Progression and follow-up support will be provided to help participants achieve paid employment or pursue further education/training if needed. Ongoing support will also be offered to ensure participants can sustain their employment, including in-work support, advice to employers on reasonable adjustments, and disability awareness training.

Employer engagement is crucial to the success of the project. SkillSET aims to build on existing employer networks, establish employer-led academies in various sectors, address skill shortages, and provide disability awareness training to workplace.

The project will be delivered by a partnership of seven specialist disability organisations, each with expertise in different areas. These organisations include Action Mental Health (AMH), AdaptNI, Cedar Foundation, Royal Mencap Society, NOW Group, Orchardville, and RNIB. The front-line team consists of employment and training staff who have the necessary skills and experience to meet the individual support needs of participants.

The project targets addressing persistent inequalities in employment for people with disabilities, reducing economic inactivity rates, minimising skills shortages, and improving labour mobility in Northern Ireland. The project will have positive impacts on participants, their families, local communities, Health & Social Care Trusts, the government, and employers.

By assisting individuals in obtaining training and employment, SkillSET can alleviate financial burdens, reduce reliance on social services, and contribute to social growth and inclusion.

REFERRAL PORTAL

Find out more about what each of our partner’s offers within SkillSET.

Action Mental Health (AMH) actively promotes the mental health and wellbeing of people in Northern Ireland. Action Mental Health grew from humble beginnings in Downpatrick in 1963 when it was known as the Industrial Therapy Organisation. Back then it was tucked away out of sight, in tune with the stigmas of the day. Today however, AMH has emerged as the standard bearer within Northern Ireland’s Third Sector – helping to smash the stigma of mental illness for all sections of the community.

Adapt NI is a non-profit organisation. Our main focus is providing specialist employment & training services for Deaf, hearing loss and tinnitus communities across Northern Ireland.
The AdaptNI team are Deaf, Hearing Loss and Tinnitus Aware, with a combined 32 years of experience supporting our Northern Ireland communities. AdaptNI are dedicated to ensuring real change not only happens, but is maintained throughout a career journey. The sky is the limit, we are prepared to Adapt Northern Ireland to ensure the barriers are removed

The Cedar Foundation was set up in 1941 as the Northern Ireland Council for Orthopaedic Development and for over 80 years, we have grown from an organisation dedicated to a single condition to one that focuses on the needs of the individual, whatever their disability. We now deliver a range of services that enable people with disabilities, autism and brain injury to get the most out of life and to be fully included in their communities. Our services are centred around the individual needs of each person and are delivered throughout Northern Ireland supporting children and adults to live, work and to engage in their communities.

Mencap was established in Northern Ireland in 1965 and each year we support thousands of people with a learning disability to live their lives the way they choose.

What we do

We work in partnership with people with a learning disability in Northern Ireland to fight to change laws and improve services and access to education, employment and leisure facilities.

We do this by:

delivering a wide range of practical support services for children, young people and adults with a learning disability and their families and carers; we ensure that children attending Mencap’s Nursery can learn and play in a therapeutic environment that helps to develop skills and achieve goals that would be unattainable without specialist expertise and support providing people with a learning disability a platform to speak out about the things that are important to them challenging attitudes and assumptions about learning disability and involving people from different backgrounds.

As a not-for-profit organisation we provide a range of services that support people with learning difficulties and autism to realise their full potential. We prepare people with the tools they need to make informed decisions about their future. We provide quality, accredited training which helps our clients to prepare for independence and the world of work. We provide them with the support they need to identify their unique career path, find the job they want and keep it.

Orchardville, a registered charity and social enterprise, is committed to changing the lives of people with learning disability and autism.
We believe that with the right support, any individual with a learning disability or autism can reach their full potential and achieve their employment aspirations.
Providing services in the Belfast, South Eastern and Western Health & Social Care Trust areas, we support people with learning disability and/or autism aged 16-65 through a range of individualised services and programmes.
Social enterprises form a key part of our provision, allowing participants to experience work in a real business environment with on site support from vocational mentors.

RNIB, the Royal National Institute of Blind People, is the UK’s leading sight loss charity. We offer practical and emotional support to blind and partially sighted people, their families and carers. We raise awareness of the experiences of blind and partially sighted people and campaign for change to make our society more accessible for all. We want to change our world so there are no barriers to people with sight loss.

REFERRAL PORTAL

SkillSet Programmes

Find out what SkillSET Programme is most suitable for you or someone you know by using our referral portal.

What is the SkillSET project?

SkillSET is an innovative project aimed at providing specialised employment preparation and training for targeted groups in Northern Ireland, particularly those with disabilities and/or health conditions. The project is a collaboration between seven regional and national disability organisations from the voluntary sector, all of which have extensive experience in supporting economically inactive individuals to secure sustainable employment.

Where does funding for the project come from?

SkillSET is a project funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. You can find out more information about the UK Shared Propserity fund here

Who is the primary focus of the SkillSET project?

The primary focus of SkillSET is individuals with disabilities and/or health conditions who face multiple barriers to employment and are farthest from the job market.

What are the key components of the SkillSET project's approach?

The project follows a Supported Employment model, which includes referral, engagement and assessment, program delivery, and progression and follow-up support.

How are participants referred to the SkillSET project?

You can contact us directly the project directly or we can take referrals from a wide range of sources including Jobs and Benefits Personnel, Social Work Teams, Health Care Professionals, Careers Advisors, Schools, Training Providers and Families and Carers.
To find the right organistion for you. Use our Referral Guide here

What types of activities are offered in the program delivery phase of SkillSET?

Participants are offered a range of activities, including accredited and non-accredited training, basic skills development, academy-based training, and employment preparation.
Activities will be dependent on which organisation suits your requirements. An Individualized Action Plan is created, taking into account your unique journey to employment.

Does the SkillSET Project support participants in sustaining their employment?

Yes. Ongoing support is provided, including in-work support and advice to employers on reasonable adjustments, as well as disability awareness training.

What role do employers play in the SkillSET project?

Employer engagement is crucial to the project’s success. SkillSET aims to build and expand employer networks, establish employer-led academies, and provide disability awareness training to workplaces.
You can find out more information about that here

Who are the partner organisations involved in delivering the SkillSET project?

The project is delivered by a partnership of seven specialist disability organizations, including Action Mental Health, AdaptNI, Cedar Foundation, Royal Mencap Society, NOW Group, Orchardville, and RNIB.

What is the overall goal of the SkillSET project?

The project aims to address inequalities in employment for people with disabilities, reduce economic inactivity rates, minimize skills shortages, and improve labor mobility. It seeks to alleviate financial burdens, reduce reliance on social services, and contribute to social growth and inclusion.
These FAQs cover key aspects of the SkillSET project and should help provide more information to those interested in or affected by the initiative

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Our Partners

The project is a collaboration between seven regional and national disability organisations from the voluntary sector.

Our Referral

Find out what SkillSET Programme is most suitable for you or someone you know by using our referral portal.

Contact Us

Have a question or want to contact us directly? Get in touch with SkillSET or some of our partners today.