People 1st

About People 1st

People 1st is an award-winning education, skills and employability organisation delivering high-quality training, apprenticeships and employment programmes across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

For more than 25 years, we have helped thousands of people gain the skills, confidence and qualifications they need to progress into employment, develop their careers or achieve their personal ambitions. At the same time, we work closely with employers across a wide range of sectors to develop skilled, motivated workforces that support business growth.

We deliver Department for the Economy-funded programmes alongside a diverse portfolio of government, council, PEACEPLUS, European and employer-led initiatives. Our services support school leavers, apprentices, adults looking to upskill or change career, people seeking employment and those facing barriers to entering the labour market.

Our key areas of delivery include:

• Skills for Life and Work for school leavers aged 16-18, providing vocational qualifications, essential skills, personal development and valuable work placement opportunities.
• ApprenticeshipsNI, enabling employees of all ages to gain industry-recognised qualifications while earning and developing within the workplace.
• Employment Academies and Employability Programmes, helping individuals build confidence, develop workplace skills and secure sustainable employment.
• Employer Engagement and Workforce Development, offering fully funded and bespoke training solutions across sectors including Health & Social Care, Childcare, Hospitality, Construction, Business Administration, Retail, Customer Service and Professional Skills.
• Community and Peacebuilding Programmes, including PEACEPLUS-funded initiatives that promote wellbeing, inclusion, employability and positive community relations.

Today, People 1st operates from eight training centres across Northern Ireland, alongside an expanding presence throughout the Republic of Ireland. Our experienced team works with employers and communities across both jurisdictions, delivering flexible, accessible training in our centres, online and directly within workplaces.

Each year we support thousands of learners and work in partnership with hundreds of employers, local authorities, government departments, community organisations and industry partners. Our employer partnerships range from local SMEs to nationally recognised organisations, ensuring our training reflects current industry needs and creates real progression opportunities for learners.

People 1st has built a strong reputation for innovation, quality and learner success. We are proud to be an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), placing our people at the heart of everything we do and fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.

Our commitment to excellence has been recognised through numerous accolades, including Investors in People Gold, reflecting our ongoing investment in our staff and organisational culture. We continue to develop new programmes and partnerships that respond to changing economic needs while supporting individuals, employers and communities to thrive.

At People 1st, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to realise their potential. Whether supporting a young person taking their first career step, helping an employee gain new qualifications, or enabling an employer to develop their workforce, our mission remains the same: to provide high-quality learning that transforms lives, strengthens businesses and creates lasting opportunities.