OCN NI Celebrates Learner Success at Western Trust Vocational Training Awards

OCN NI was delighted to join the OCN Recognised Centre, Western Health and Social Care Trust (WHSCT), at its Vocational Training Annual Awards on Friday 25 September 2026 at the Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh, Co Tyrone.

The annual ceremony recognises the commitment and dedication of Trust staff who have studied and worked to build their skills and competencies in support of their caring and administrative roles across the Western Trust area.

During 2025/26, more than 110 staff achieved vocational qualifications, with a large number completing OCN NI qualifications across a wide range of occupational areas. These ranged from the:

• OCN NI Level 1 Certificate in Employability Skills
• OCN NI Level 2 Award in Awareness of Dementia
• OCN NI Level 3 Certificates and Diplomas across Healthcare Support Practice, Health and Social Care, and Business and Administration Skills
• OCN NI Level 4 Diploma in Working in Adult Care
• OCN NI Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care 

Staff also achieved OCN NI qualifications in assessment and internal quality assurance, supporting the Trust’s own capacity to deliver vocational training.

Alongside these, staff completed Essential Skills qualifications in Numeracy and Literacy, and the Open University’s Level 4 Introduction to Health and Social Care (K102), run in conjunction with Unison.

Western Trust Chief Executive Karen Hargan congratulated all the recipients and thanked everyone who supported them along the way. Mrs Riona Santiago, Assistant Director, Organisation and Workforce Development, also praised the learners for their hard work and dedication to continuous learning, and thanked the Trust’s Vocational Training Team for supporting them throughout the year.

Certificates were presented by Teresa Molloy, Director of Planning and Performance, and Geraldine McAleer, Interim Director of Human Resources and Organisation Development.

OCN NI was proud to sponsor this year’s ACE (Approach, Commitment, Engagement) Award, and Sean McCormick spoke at the event on behalf of OCN NI. The ACE Award was won by Jijo Jose, Care Assistant at Thackeray Place Residential Home, Limavady.

Sean McCormick said: “It was a privilege to celebrate the achievements of so many learners at the Western Trust. Their commitment to developing their skills makes a real difference to the people they care for every day.”

OCN NI extends its warmest congratulations to all the learners, and thanks the Western Trust’s Vocational Training Team, along with the RCN and Unison, for their continued support.