Training and Skills Development

We provide a wide range of training from one-day events to bespoke training packages and online training.

NICVA's training is developed to meet the needs of the voluntary and community sector and includes a wide variety of high quality sessions, all at affordable prices. NICVA members benefit from 30% discount on all courses.

Training is delivered at NICVA, unless specified otherwise, and if there is substantial demand we will run additional courses in other locations across Northern Ireland.

Bespoke Service

Skills development bespoke training is designed to meet the specific needs of your organisation in the most effective and convenient way to maximise the performance of your staff, volunteers and board. We design and deliver bespoke training to you at a time and place that best suits you. You can find out more about bespoke training here.

Training Calendar

NICVA's training calendar offers courses in a wide range of subjects from management to governance and fundraising. Some of the courses are accredited and all of them are competitively priced and are delivered by subject matter experts. We provide a wide range of training courses including online sessions and accredited programmes.

ILM Accreditation

NICVA is an approved centre with the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM). Courses are offered in Leadership and Management, Coaching and Mentoring and Management of Volunteers. We design and deliver a range of ILM courses — award, certificate and diploma — at levels 3 and 5.

TQUK Accreditation

NICVA is an approved centre with Training Qualifications UK (TQUK).  NICVA are currently offering the level 3 award in Education and Training. We design and deliver a range of TQUK courses as part of our training calendar and on a bespoke basis such as Customer Service and Equality and Diversity.

Skills Development Subjects

Leadership and Management

Developing your leadership and management skills has a positive impact on your organisation from improved delivery of services and increased innovation, to better motivation and retention of staff. We provide ILM accredited courses, as well as one day sessions on topics such as managing staff, planning projects and making presentations.

Governance

Developing your governance skills and knowledge will help to ensure that your organisation is governed and led effectively and is aware of best practice and relevant legislation. We provide a range of governance training sessions that can be delivered to your board at a time and place that suits them.

Fundraising

Developing your fundraising skills is essential for the sustainability of your organisation. Our training will help you to consider how to diversify your funding streams and how to be successful in securing resources. We provide a range of fundraising training  sessions to help you be more sustainable as part of our calendar and on request.

Human Resources

Developing your Human Resource skills and knowledge is vital to ensure that your organisation is a good employer, complies with legislation and recruits and retains the right staff. We provide a range of HR training sessions to help you apply HR best practice as part of our calendar and on request.

Train the Trainer

Developing your training skills and knowledge will help to improve the quality of the training you deliver both internally and externally and encourage you to be more creative in your approach. We provide TQUK accredited programmes as part of our training calendar as well as for individual organisations on request.

Data Protection

It's important that your organisation is aware of the legal provisions of data protection law, and can handle personal data fairly and securely. We have developed guidance on GDPR and delivered advice to the community, voluntary and social enterprise sector, and have worked together with the Information Commissioner's Office on a number of issues. We can provide training to ensure that your board, staff and volunteers know how to meet their responsibilities.

Updates

Free mentoring support and more still available for CFNI grantees

Free training and bespoke mentoring is available through NICVA, as part of a programme of support for recipients of the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland's Cancer, Carers and Mental Health Funds.

NICVA celebrates learners' achievements

On 21 April graduates from Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) and Training Qualifications UK (TQUK) gathered in NICVA to celebrate their achievements.

Regional Cost of Living events

We are holding five regional Cost of Living workshops in partnership with local networks in April and May.

CFNI Capacity Building Accelerator and Mentoring Programme - ELIGIBILITY

The Capacity Building Accelerator and Mentoring Programme is exclusively for the recipients of the CFNI / Department Of Health's Cancer, Carers and Mental Health Funds. 

Support for Cost of Living Squeeze

NICVA is offering support to organisations facing the Cost of Living squeeze - Bursaries for a ILM Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management and free one-year subscription to GrantTracker.

First Northern Ireland community education census aims to support learning providers

A major new research initiative aimed at transforming adult education in Northern Ireland has been launched by AONTAS in partnership with the Forum for Adult Learning in Northern Ireland (FALNI).

Accredited training with NICVA

In response to the continued need for accredited training for staff, volunteers and board members in our sector, NICVA provides a range of recognised qualifications. Designed for our sector while meeting accreditation requirements.

Impact of ILM Level 4 Award in Leadership and Management

NICVA delivers ILM qualifications at levels 3, 4, 5 and 7 to the Voluntary and Community Sector in NI for first line, middle and senior managers. We go back to learners several months later to find out the impact of their learning.

Impact of ILM Level 5 Diploma

Since September 2020 83 people have participated in our ILM L5 Diploma in Leadership and Management. It is encouraging to go back to our learners six months after they complete and find out what has changed.

Highlights from 2022 from Organisational Development Team

The Organisational Development Team has enjoyed serving our members and working with the wider sector in 2022. From the day to day information, advice, support and training to special initiatives we have adapted and developed to meet your needs.

roisin.kelly@nicva.org's picture

Roisin Kelly

Skills Development Coordinator

Team

Dawn Love Skills Development Officer dawn.love@nicva.org's picture
Roisin Kelly Skills Development Coordinator roisin.kelly@nicva.org's picture
Sandra Bailie Head of Organisational Development sandra.bailie@nicva.org's picture

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I have developed the skills, knowledge and confidence to build a formalised training package to roll out to staff across NI, I have no doubt this will influence and improve their practice.

Participant on our TQUK Level 3 Award in Education and Training

This was really very helpful training and I’ve taken a lot of ideas away that I will be able to use. The handouts are really good and will help me to recall all that was done.

Participant on a conflict management skills training session