ABOUT US
People 1st is here to support your training and employment goals, offering a wide range of accredited courses and qualifications across Northern Ireland and Donegal.
How we started….
From our first beginnings in Belfast in the summer of 1992, our Director, Bernadette Daly, had a clear vision to create a company that would help put the needs of local people at the forefront of training, giving life to the company you know as ‘People 1st’. We have grown so much since then, however our main aim is the same today as it was- to support you to progress and develop as an individual by providing first class training. Whether you are just starting out as a school leaver, wanting to get into employment, or looking to progress your career to the next level with further professional development, we have options for you. Whatever stage you are at, our experienced at helpful team are here to support your ambitions and we look forward to helping you achieve great things…
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
‘Together, let's realise your ambition’
Three decades of development
Over the last thirty years, People 1st have grown steadily to offer our services at 15 different offices across the North and South of Ireland.
We have a wealth of experience with 100+ staff and over 60 associates including dedicated training specialists, mentors and employment coaches, with vast experience in the design, development and accreditation of training qualifications and quality marks.
As an award winning training and employment provider, we offer a range of government funded and European Social Funded training programmes, employment support initiatives and training solutions at both individual and corporate level.
Over the last three decades, we have supported over 75,000 people to achieve accredited qualifications and helped over a third of participants transition into employment or upskill.
Having been a ‘Deloitte Best Managed Company in Ireland’ for the last eight years in a row, and also holding the ‘Investors in People’ Gold Standard award, we are proud to pursue excellence.
Company Values
The range of qualities which set our company apart are captured in our company values represented in the acronym CULTURE
C – Commitment
U – Understanding
L – Loyalty
T – Team
U – Unique
R – Respect
E – Excellence
June 2024 People 1st transitions to an Employee Ownership Trust.
At People 1st, we believe in empowering both our clients and our team, which is why we transitioned to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) in 2024. This innovative structure places our people at the heart of everything we do, ensuring that every member of our team has a vested interest in shaping our success and delivering outstanding results. By becoming employee-owned, we’ve secured the future of People 1st as a dynamic and sustainable organisation, driven by shared goals and collective responsibility.
As an employee-owned company, we’ve embraced a culture of collaboration and innovation. This new structure enables us to focus on long-term growth while preserving our core values of inclusivity, independence, and professionalism. Each team member contributes to and benefits from the continued success of People 1st, creating a motivated and inspired workforce dedicated to delivering exceptional services.
The EOT model has already started transforming how we work. Employees now enjoy greater job security, a stronger sense of ownership, and a direct connection to the company’s success. This forward-thinking approach not only enhances professional satisfaction but also opens up new opportunities for personal and career development, ensuring that every team member feels valued and invested in our shared vision for the future.
Our transition to employee ownership represents an exciting new chapter in our story, built on over three decades of excellence in training and education. With this structure, we’re more committed than ever to supporting individuals, businesses, and communities across Northern Ireland, ensuring our impact is as sustainable as it is transformative. From our network of branches and head office in Belfast, we are proud to partner with local businesses, creating opportunities and driving progress within the Northern Ireland region and Donegal.
Our Awards
Deloitte Ireland
The Deloitte Ireland Best Managed Companies Award promotes and recognises excellence in Irish/Northern Irish owned and managed companies and is the only awards scheme on the island of Ireland that considers business performance from every perspective. Entrants to the programme compete for the designation in a rigorous process that evaluates the calibre of their management abilities and practices in addition to the strategy, capability, innovation, culture and financial performance of their companies.
People 1st is extremely proud and delighted to receive this prestigious award again at the Deloitte prestigious awards ceremony in October 2022, making this the eighth year in a row we have done so. We would like to thank Deloitte and all our team for their hard work.
IIP Gold Award
We have achieved Investors in People Gold accreditation. This award from Investors in People is recognised all over the world- and it means that we are at the top of our game in terms of people management. We have clearly demonstrated a commitment to our team to invest in their training and development, meaning our staff are motivated, committed and engaged. This also means that everyone – from Company Directors through to apprentices – take ownership for bringing company objectives to life through.
In turn, this helps make People 1st a great place to work and also is fantastic news for anyone who uses our services- as we strive to constantly pass this knowledge onto you, our customer through our training programmes and mentoring support.
REGIO STARS
We have also received the Regio Stars 2019 Award from the European Commission. This annual competition, rewards excellence and recognises those fostering new approaches in regional development across a variety of different community projects. These projects fight against poverty and material deprivation and foster more inclusive, cohesive and equal societies. People 1st were nominated in the category for combatting Inequalities and poverty in our WISE Project which supports women back into Employment within the Republic of Ireland.
The People 1st team are very proud to be a holder of this esteemed award and we would like to thank all the team involved for their hard work, and we are delighted to continue changing the lives of so many women across our network.
Meet our Senior Management Team
Ronan Heenan
Director
Brenda Kernaghan
Director
Eamonn Moore
Director
Aidan Kelly
DIRECTOR & Centre manager - belfast south, Belfast west, Lurgan & Portadown
Gráinne McBride
DiRECTOR
Patricia Moley
Centre Manager - Lisburn and Newry
Gillian Duffy
aPPRENTICESHIPS MANAGER
Contact the Senior Management Team
If you would like to contact any member of the Senior Management Team, please email [email protected]
or visit our contact form here: https://people-1st.co.uk/contact-us/
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Why choose People 1st?
Our friendly, supportive and knowledgeable team are ready to help you explore our suite of programmes and qualifications.
Whatever your circumstances, we can advise you on the best training and employability initiatives available.
We put people first; it’s in our name. Come see how we can help you and together let’s realise your ambition.
Trusted Partners
People 1st are now JAM Card Friendly!
We are thrilled to announce that People 1st has achieved Supporter level! This prestigious recognition, made available through @belfast-city-council, is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence and continuous improvement. Core pledges achieved so far are: Pay promptly, Work in partnership with our communities, Offer opportunities into work, Support the local and social economy.
🎉 What This Means for Us:
• Enhanced Credibility: This accreditation reinforces our reputation as a trusted leader in our industry.
• Quality Assurance: It highlights our dedication to attaining and maintaining the highest standards in our business practices.
• Team Achievement: This milestone reflects the hard work, passion, and collaboration of our incredible team.
🙏 Thank You: We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our clients, partners, and stakeholders for their ongoing support and trust. This achievement would not have been possible without you.
🚀 Looking Ahead: We are more motivated than ever to continue delivering exceptional value and innovative solutions. Stay tuned for more exciting updates as we embark on this new chapter!
Join Us: As Belfast Business Promise organisation, we are proud to work alongside our peers from various organisations across the city. Whether you are a large or small organisation, or a public, private or community-based organisation, if you are in Belfast we want to partner with you. Find out more by watching this short video and sign up to the Belfast Business Promise via the website.
#BelfastBusinessPromise #Quality #Innovation
