School leaver pathways

Your future starts with real experience.

Practical training, recognised qualifications and meaningful work placements — supported by sector specialists and connections with hundreds of employers.

Skills for Life and Work Visit our Jobs Fair

£40weekly allowance for eligible learners

48,000 ft²purpose-built training facility

Hundredsof employer connections

Your Springvale pathway

1
Leave school with a plan

2
Learn practical vocational skills

3
Build experience on placement

4
Progress to Level 2

5
Move into full employment and start an apprenticeship

What could you become?

Choose an area that interests you. Each pathway combines hands-on learning, qualifications and experience of the workplace.

More than a course

Springvale helps you build the skills, experience and confidence employers value.

Sector specialists

Practical learning delivered by tutors with occupational expertise.

Essential Skills

Certified literacy, numeracy and digital learning alongside your programme.

Work placements

Meaningful employer experience to help you understand the world of work.

Personal support

Life Skills, Employability and guidance to help you take your next step.

Jobs Fair poster for Thursday 5 November 2026 at Springvale Learning

Come and experience Springvale

Meet employers. Explore careers. See what’s possible.

Our Jobs Fair brings leading employers from across Northern Ireland together with young people exploring their future. School groups can meet employers and tour our vocational facilities.

Date: Thursday 5 November 2026
Time: 10:00am–2:00pm
Venue: Springvale Learning
Address: 200 Springfield Road, Belfast

Youth Empowerment Network · Springvale on Facebook

Read the full Pathways Guide

Turn through the complete Springvale guide for detailed information about every professional and technical area.

Your Pathway to a Brighter Future

Open full screen

Ready to explore your next step?

Tell us what interests you and our team will help you discover the right pathway.

App NI

ApprenticeshipsNI gives young people the opportunity to earn while they learn, gaining recognised qualifications alongside real workplace experience. Apprentices are paid employees from day one and receive both on-the-job experience and off-the-job training.

Earn while you learn

You are employed and paid while working towards your qualification.

Real experience

Learn directly in the workplace with mentoring and industry expertise.

Qualifications

ApprenticeshipsNI Level 2 and Level 3 programmes are available to eligible 16–24-year-olds.

Springvale courses

Food & Beverage Service
Kitchen Services
Professional Cookery
Team Leading
Customer Service
Hospitality Supervision & Leadership
Customer Services
ILM Management Level 3
Childcare

Private work undertaken — contact 028 94 438337 for further information.

Youth Empowerment Network

Fully funded training programmes for young people aged 16–24, designed to help young people move into training or employment with practical support along the way.

Build your skills

Develop employability, digital and personal development skills to help prepare you for work.

Get support

Receive mentoring and guidance to help you take your next step towards training or employment.

Hear from young people

Explore stories and interviews from young people who have taken part in YouthStart and progressed into further opportunities.

Your next step

Contact the YouthStart team to find out about current opportunities and how to get involved.