Springboard Celebrates 5 Years of Skills for Life and Work Programme
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November 12, 2026
This November Springboard celebrates 5 years of our Skills for Life and Work programme, HeadStart at Ulster University with participants past and present, funders, partners and key stakeholders in attendance.
Funded by the Department for the Economy Skills for Life and Work is an initiative that supports school leavers to build key personal and employability skills and gain qualifications. This celebration has been an opportunity to look back at what has been achieved, reflect on the difference the programme has made, and, most importantly, celebrate the young people who have been at the heart of it all.
Since launching in 2021 HeadStart’s Skills for Life and Work programme has supported over 215 young people achieve 863 qualifications. Participants work towards gaining vocational qualifications in Youth Work or Business Administration and Essential Skills as well as training in Health & Safety, Child Protection, First Aid to support their professional and personal development. Participants are also supported to take part in work placement opportunities and gain practical experience.
Upon completion of the programme 85% of participants said they felt very prepared to move into employment, education or training and 100% of participants said the programme had a major impact on their lives.
HeadStart’s youth work approach has been key to its success over the years. By prioritising relationship building, personal development and increasing confidence, young people leave feeling equipped to enter employment, training and further education with skill and determination.
Roisin, a past participant said,
“The Skills for Life and Work programme helped me recognise my potential. Before I started, I was 17, out of education and had no purpose in life with no hopes for the future. But the programme helped me see what I’m capable of. I’m now employed in youth work and am studying a Level 4 in Ulster University thanks to the support of the staff and my peers.”
Springboard’s Executive Director Steph O’Rourke said,
“We are delighted to be here celebrating our 5-year milestone of the Skills for Life & Work programme. The programme acts as an important stepping stone into further education, employment or an apprenticeship and for many of the young people involved it might be the first qualification they have gained or the first time they have started to see a different future for themselves. And that is what makes this programme so special. Behind every qualification, every achievement and every milestone is a young person who has overcome barriers, pushed themselves outside their comfort zone or discovered something new about what they are capable of.
Springboard are incredibly proud of what the programme has achieved so far and look forward to supporting many more participants on their educational journey. We would like to extend our gratitude to the Deptarment for the Economy, partners and key stakeholders who have all supported us in making the programme such a success.”