On 14th October 2026, members of the OCN NI Business Development team were delighted to join The Cedar Foundation for the celebration launch of two newly approved qualifications that are the first of their kind in Northern Ireland.
The OCN NI Level 1 Award in Introduction to Climate Change and Energy Efficiency and the OCN NI Level 1 Award in Introduction to Careers in the Green Economy were developed to improve access to employment, build confidence and develop skills. Until now, there were no Level 1 green economy qualifications in Northern Ireland. These qualifications fill that gap and give learners an accessible starting point into green careers.
About the qualifications
Both qualifications are short and flexible, and are open to learners aged 14 and over:
The qualifications are live on the OCN NI Prospectus and all OCN NI recognised centres can deliver them.
The qualifications will be used by The Cedar Foundation’s Skills Connect programme, which is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). PEACEPLUS is co-funded by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland and the Northern Ireland Executive. The programme is delivered by Cedar in partnership with the NOW Group, OCN NI, Ulster University and Dundalk Institute of Technology.
Speaking about the process of creating the OCN NI accredited qualifications, Andrea Lupari, Training and Employment Manager, The Cedar Foundation, said:
“From the outset we very quickly realised that as an emerging sector, Green Economy Level 1 qualifications didn’t exist in NI and there wasn’t any clear pathway for disabled people to access a pathway to these careers. We approached organisations to ask them to support us in developing these qualifications, so they would become accessible for all. Level 1 qualifications play a pivotal role in establishing the foundational knowledge and skills of any sector, opening doors and reducing barriers. At Cedar, we felt this was a significant gap in opportunity.
Action Renewables collaborated with our Cedar’s Skills Connect Team to gather all the information needed to create two qualifications. We met with OCN NI to discuss how to achieve the creation an accredited qualification. The result being that these are now available through CCEA and live to all training organisations now. They are currently the only qualifications of this type available in NI.”
Representatives from OCN said:
"At OCN NI, we believe that every learner should have the opportunity to develop the skills they need to succeed. By working with Cedar Foundation, as part of the Skills Connect Programme, we have developed Level 1 qualifications with recognised pathways that enable learners to gain valuable knowledge of the green economy and take their first steps towards further learning, employment and personal progression.
The qualifications not only respond to the growing demand for green skills but also ensures that individuals from all backgrounds can participate in and benefit from the opportunities presented by the green economy."
Terry Waugh, CEO of Action Renewables said:
“Action Renewables is proud to support the Cedar Foundation in the launch of the new OCN Level 1 Introduction to Green Careers and Introduction to Climate Change qualifications. As an organisation dedicated to supporting Northern Ireland’s transition towards a more sustainable future, we believe everyone should have access to the skills, knowledge and opportunities needed to play a meaningful role in the growing green economy.
This partnership reflects our broader commitment to social impact — empowering individuals, building stronger communities and helping to ensure that the opportunities created by renewable energy and sustainability are accessible to everyone.”
A clear route from Level 1 to Level 5
The new qualifications are the first step on a clear progression ladder. After completing them, learners can move to OCN NI’s range of green and sustainability qualifications at Levels 2 to 5, including:
A learner taking their first step into the green economy at Level 1 can progress all the way to higher-level technical and professional skills in areas such as renewable technologies, retrofit and carbon management.
