Welding Academy with South West College

Welding Academy

If you are interested in a career as a welder, 12 training opportunities are currently available at South West College (SWC). If you successfully complete the academy, you will gain industry recognised welding qualifications and be considered for a potential job role with one of the supporting companies.

Training

The Welding Academy is a six week intensive training course to prepare you for a job role in the engineering and manufacturing sector under the Assured Skills Program. Those selected for the Academy will study City & Guilds Welding Level 1 or 2 and Abrasive

Wheels Training.

An Introduction to Robotic Welding (Valk) is being offered to all on the academy who want to avail of the opportunity. Students will acquire the skills to set up and operate the robot to perform a basic welding task.

If you successfully complete the course, you will be guaranteed a job interview with a supporting company.

Participants will receive a weekly £185 training allowance for the duration of the academy, as well as help with travelling and childcare costs.

Who can apply?

Applicants must:

• be at least 18 years old
• be eligible to work in the UK at the time of application

How to apply

Apply online via clicking the apply icon by 12.00 noon on Friday 2 October 2026.

Key dates

An information session will be held at SWC Welding Facility, Unit 6B Kilcronagh Industrial Estate, Cookstown, BT80 9HG on Tuesday 15th September from 6pm - 9pm to:

• Learn about the 6-week intensive training programme
• Find out about the industry-recognised welding qualifications you'll gain
• Meet our team and learn about the supporting employers offering guaranteed interviews on successful completion
• Ask any questions about the course, training allowance, travel and childcare support)

SWC will invite eligible applicants to attend an interview at the SWC Welding Facility that will take place week commencing Monday 12 October 2026.

Training

Successful applicants will attend intensive training at SWC's dedicated training venue in Cookstown starting Monday 26 October 2026 to Friday 4 December 2026.

Training times are 8.15am to 5pm Monday to Thursday, and 8.15am to 1.30pm Friday.

Applicants must be available for the whole of the training period.

Company Information

The supporting companies participating in the academy are:

• Specdrum/STEMfab
• TBC Conversions
• Terex, Cookstown
• Terex, Dungannon
• CombiLift NI
• Kane Group
• Moyle Engineering
• Muldoon Transport
• Terramac

Living outside Northern Ireland

If you live outside Northern Ireland, by accepting an offer of a place on this pre-employment training academy, you are committing to attending training and pursuing a job opportunity in Northern Ireland.

Applications are welcome from everyone who meets the essential criteria and are particularly welcome from people returning to work after caring for their children or other family members.

Help to apply

If you have a disability and need help to complete this form:

• email

or

• telephone

All correspondence with applicants will be through email. It is the applicant's responsibility to act on this within the given time frame.

Further information

For more information on this academy or to receive updates on new academy opportunities as they arise, please email your enquiry to

To find out how your information will be managed, you can view the privacy notice for Assured Skills here: