Local employers, employees and residents across Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council are being given the opportunity to boost their business skills and to gain a CMI, OCN or SIAS accredited qualification through this programme.
Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council is providing these FREE online programmes in partnership and delivered by South Eastern Regional College.
Who is it for?
- Individuals residing in the Council area
- Staff who are underemployed or employed and seeking career progression
All programmes will be delivered online.
Courses available
CMI Level 3 Award in First Line Management and Leadership
- Whether you are stepping into your first supervisory role or looking to formalise your leadership skills, this course provides a strong foundation in modern management principles.
- You'll explore how organisations operate, develop key leadership behaviours, and learn practical approaches to managing people and processes. This course is also particularly supportive for those returning to education, offering a welcoming and professionally relevant experience that enhances your CV and career prospects.
- Start Date: 16 September 2026
- Times: 10am - 1.30pm
- Length: 7 weeks
CMI Level 3 Award in Managing AI Adoption
- This qualification equips aspiring and first-line managers with the knowledge and skills to lead team level AI adoption responsibly, ensuring technology enhances performance without compromising trust.
- Start Date: 29 September 2026
- Times: 10pm - 1.30pm
- Length: 7 weeks
CMI Level 3 Award in Project Management
- The Level 3 Project Management qualification is designed to introduce project management to all managers responsible for projects. This qualification works to extend learners skills and knowledge to embrace further project management disciplines.
- Start Date: 28 September 2026
- Times: 5pm - 8.30pm
- Length: 7 weeks
CMI Level 5 Award in Management and Leadership
- This qualification is designed for practising middle managers and leaders at operations, division, departmental or specialist level, who are typically accountable to a senior manager or business owner.
- The primary role of a practising or aspiring manager and leader is to lead and manage individuals and teams to deliver the aims and objectives in line with the organisational strategy.
- Start Date: 24 September 2026
- Times: 9.30am - 1pm
- Length: 7 weeks
CMI Level 5 Award in Project Management
- This qualification is designed for practising middle managers and leaders who are typically accountable to a senior manager or business owners. It is aimed at leaders looking to effectively manage projects, although the qualification is also open to learners wishing to build on their general management skills.
- Start Date: 15 September 2026
- Times: 5.30pm - 9pm
- Length: 16 weeks
CMI Level 7 Award in Strategic Management Practice
- This qualification is designed for individuals wishing to develop strategic management and leadership practice who will have the knowledge, skills and behaviours to drive business activities in a senior, regional, specialist, director or CEO management and leadership role.
- The qualification contains a breadth of units, which are reflective of the tasks and activities required by managers in roles such as senior managers, regional management and specialist managers who are accountable to a senior manager or business owner.
- This programme will include 10 hours of 1-2-1 mentoring to support the development of a Strategic Business Improvement project.
- Start Date: 16 September 2026
- Times: 5pm - 9pm
- Length: 9 weeks
OCN Level 2 Award in Cyber Security
- With cyber-attacks and data leaks becoming more common, it’s important to learn the first steps into keeping both you and your data safe while working online.
- In this course you will learn how to stay safe online; looking at some of the risks to security and how these can be prevented, how to take beginner cyber security precautions on devices, and how to start managing your own personal and organisational information online.
- Start Date: 6 October 2026
- Days: Tuesday and Thursday
- Times: 6pm - 9pm
- Length: 6 weeks
OCN Level 2 Award in Social Media
- This qualification is ideal if you want to develop a deeper understanding of how social media supports business growth.
- You will learn how to identify and understand your target audience, create audience personas and analyse competitors online.
- The course also explores key online and social media risks, content marketing, and how to examine social media insights. With a strong practical focus, learners will take part in hands-on activities and discuss real-world examples.
- Start Date: 24 September 2026
- Times: 10am - 1:30pm
- Length: 8 weeks
OCN Level 4 Award in Social Media and Digital Marketing
- This qualification aims to develop knowledge and skills in the use of internet and communications technologies for marketing activities and manage the use of social media within organisations.
- With the increased use of communications technologies many companies are taking advantage of social media and digital marketing approaches to promote and market their products and services.
- Start Date: 23 September 2026
- Times: 6:15pm - 9:45pm
- Length: 12 weeks
SIAS Level 2 Award in Understanding Artificial Intelligence in Business
- This qualification is designed to provide learners with a foundational understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its use in business environments.
- Learners will identify key concepts and terminology, understand at a high level how common AI systems work, and recognise typical business uses.
- The qualification develops awareness of current and emerging tools, the role of human oversight, and the ethical and legal principles for responsible use.
- Start Date: 8 October 2026
- Times: 10am - 3pm
- Length: 3 weeks
Secure your place today!
Use the link below to register your interest.
For further information please contact:
Deirdre O'Connor, E: deirdreoconnor@serc.ac.uk (CMI Courses)
Gary Millar, E: garymillar@serc.ac.uk (AI, Cyber and Social Media Courses)
