Open College Network Northern Ireland

11/06/2026

🌟 Third Sector Learner of the Year – Shortlisted Nominees 🌟

We’re delighted to celebrate the incredible individuals shortlisted for the Third Sector Learner of the Year category at the OCN Learning Endeavour Awards 🎉
Huge congratulations to:

👏 Christina McAvoy – Poleglass community Association
👏 Daryl Brooker – Start360
👏 Joanne McCandless – Habitat for Humanity Ireland
👏 Luisa Cayabyab – Bryson Future Skills
👏 Rosie Connolly – Aspire Media N.I. CIC
👏 Yousif El Naser – Lisburn Adult Education Centre

Each of these learners has shown outstanding commitment, resilience, and achievement through their learning journey, making a real impact within their communities.
We congratulate all those shortlisted and can’t wait to celebrate your success together at the awards ceremony on Tuesday 23rd June 🏆✨

10/06/2026

Business Development Executive, Niamh, at the NICVA 2026 Summit. The event brings together leaders and influencers from across the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector for a day of connection and learning.

08/06/2026

OCN was proud to sponsor the Excellence in Skills & Workforce Capability category at The Irish News Business Excellence Awards 2026 held at Titanic Belfast.

Congratulations to Northern Ireland Water on winning the category, with the award presented by OCN Chief Executive, Martin Flynn. 👏

The Excellence in Skills & Workforce Capability category recognises organisations that demonstrate a strong and sustained commitment to developing skills, enhancing employability and building a future-ready workforce through initiatives such as apprenticeships, graduate programmes and reskilling pathways.

Well done Northern Ireland Water and congratulations to all of the outstanding winners and finalists celebrated on the night.

08/06/2026

Great success at Start360! Congratulations to all learners 👏

08/06/2026

Congratulations to Aoife at People 1st on your shortlist in the Essential Skills Learner of the Year category at OCN's 2026 Learning Endeavour Awards 👏

🌟 MORE GOOD NEWS FROM LURGAN! 🌟

We are absolutely delighted to share that our childcare learner, **Aoife Grimes**, has been shortlisted for **Essential Skills Learner of the Year** at the 2026 OCN NI Learning Endeavour Awards! 🎉

Aoife's nomination is a testament to her determination, resilience and hard work throughout her learning journey. While studying her childcare qualification, Aoife also committed herself to improving her Essential Skills, overcoming personal challenges along the way and showing incredible dedication to her studies.

With the support of **Sarah Wylie**, Student Support Officer, and **Jacqueline McGeown**, Digital ICT Tutor, Aoife has grown in confidence, developed new skills and embraced every opportunity to succeed.

The OCN NI Learning Endeavour Awards celebrate learners from across Northern Ireland whose commitment to education has transformed their lives, and we couldn't think of a more deserving nominee.

Congratulations Aoife! 👏💙

Everyone at People 1st is incredibly proud of you and we can't wait to celebrate with you at the awards ceremony in Titanic Belfast this June.

Join us in wishing Aoife and her fellow People 1st nominees Saido and Fatma from People 1st Lisburn and People 1st Belfast (South) branches all the best of luck for later this month

05/06/2026

What could funding do for your learners? 💡

With the OCN 2026 Centre Learning Grants programme now open, this is your chance to turn ideas into impact, support learner initiatives and enrich the learning experience.

Eligible OCN centres can apply for grants ranging from £500 - £3,000. The funding is designed to support approaches and projects that allow OCN learners to thrive and achieve their full potential.

🔗Learn more about the 2026 Grants: https://ocnni.org.uk/centre-learning-grants-2026
📅 Deadline to apply: Midnight Sunday 14 June 2026

01/06/2026

Special congratulations from our Learning Endeavour Awards host ✨

With the Awards just 3 weeks away, the countdown is on to celebrate learner success at Titanic Belfast on Tuesday 23rd June.

Good luck to everyone shortlisted. We look forward to celebrating with you very soon!

29/05/2026

The 2026 Regional SkillBuild competition, organised by CITB Northern Ireland and supported by the Department for the Economy NI, brought together talented competitors from across Northern Ireland to showcase their skills across 12 trade areas including Brickwork, Carpentry, Electrical Installation, Plumbing, Painting & Decorating, Joinery and more.

OCN was proud to sponsor the event. Supporting skills-based learning and recognising emerging talent remains at the heart of our mission- "to develop and award qualifications which engage, enrich, and equip learners for life."

Congratulations to all the talented individuals who took part 👏

Southern Regional College SERC Belfast Met South West College North West Regional College Northern Regional College

22/05/2026

We’re delighted to announce the shortlist for the 2026 Learning Endeavour Awards, taking place this June at Titanic Belfast. 🎉

The quality of nominations was exceptional, highlighting the dedication of learners, educators and OCN centres across the region.

𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐥𝐲𝐧𝐧, 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐂𝐍, 𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐝: "The high volume of nominations this year reflects the extraordinary dedication and ambition of learners, educators and OCN centres across Northern Ireland. The Learning Endeavour Awards are a powerful celebration of what can be achieved through perseverance, support and a passion for learning. Congratulations to all our shortlisted finalists, your stories are inspiring and you represent the very best of our community. We look forward to celebrating your success together this June."

👏 Congratulations to all shortlisted finalists!

🔗 View all shortlisted: https://www.ocnni.org.uk/news/ocn-announces-2026-learning-endeavour-awards-shortlist

AEL- Access Employment Ltd Larne, Aspire Media N.I. CIC, Belfast Met, Belfast Met Supported Learning, Bryson Future Skills, CAFRE- Loughry Campus, Connected Health, EOTAS- Lough Road Learning Centre, Habitat for Humanity, HUR, Lakewood School, Lecale Trinity Grammer School, Lisburn Adult Education Centre, Malone Integrated College, Nerve Centre, Northern Regional College, NOW Group, People 1st, Poleglass Community Association @ Sally Gardens, St John the Baptist College, SERC, South Eastern Regional College, South West College, Southern Regional College, St Patrick's College, Maghera, St Louise's Comprehensive College, Start360, North West Regional College

18/05/2026

📣𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧: 𝐎𝐂𝐍 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

We’re delighted to launch the 2026 OCN Centre Learning Grants Programme, with £50,000 in funding available to support innovative, learner-focused projects with our recognised centres.

Grants ranging from £500 - £3,000 will be awarded to help fund impactful learner initiatives. The programme is designed to encourage innovation, enrich the learning experience, and support learner progression. By funding innovative approaches and initiatives, OCN aims to foster an environment where learners can thrive and achieve their full potential.

🔗Learn more about the 2026 Grants: https://ocnni.org.uk/centre-learning-grants-2026

🗓Applications open now and will close at midnight Sunday 14th June 2026

👉 Apply now: https://ocnni-centre-learning-grants.grantplatform.com/