Open College Network Northern Ireland

✨ Just 1 Week to Go – Learning Endeavour Awards 2026! ✨
We’re counting down to our Learning Endeavour Awards at Titanic Belfast next Tuesday — and we can’t wait to celebrate OCN learners and centres across Northern Ireland!

As the big day approaches, here’s everything you need to know:

𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 🕒
Doors open: 11:30am
Food served: 11:45am – 12:35pm
Ceremony begins: 12:30pm

𝐀𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥📍
Please make your way upstairs to the Titanic Suite upon arrival.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲🎤
This year’s awards promise to be uplifting, inspiring, and truly memorable. Highlights include: Live music from a talented OCN learner, powerful stories of resilience and a special guest speaker. To ensure everyone enjoys the experience, key moments will be displayed on large screens throughout the suite.

𝐋𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡🥗
A buffet-style lunch will be available before the ceremony from 11:45am.

𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐲 & 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 📸
Please note that photography and video recording will take place during the event.

We’re incredibly grateful to all our OCN centres for your nominations and continued support, and to our awards judging panel for their valuable insights.

We look forward to celebrating with you for what promises to be a fantastic day! If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected].

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.

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.

Great success at Start360! Congratulations to all learners 👏

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

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

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