Limited places available on GP Medical Administration Academy starting January 2026

Love Ballymena
6 hours ago
2 min read

Mayor of Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick with representatives from Antrim & Newtownabbey Council Labour Market Partnership.

A new employment-focused Medical Administration Training Academy is set to launch in Antrim and Newtownabbey in January 2026, offering local residents a direct pathway into administrative roles within GP practices.

Following the success of two earlier academies delivered in other council areas, the Northern GP Federation Support Unit (NFSU) has secured funding to expand the programme, with limited spaces now available for eligible applicants.

The initiative is being delivered in partnership with the Antrim and Newtownabbey Labour Market Partnership (LMP) and is funded by the Department for Communities. Labour Market Partnerships are designed to create targeted employment action plans at council level, supporting collaboration between local and regional partners to help people move towards and into work.

The eight-week academy is specifically designed to prepare participants for the realities of working in a busy general practice environment. It aims to equip learners with the practical skills, knowledge and confidence required for medical administration roles, which are increasingly in demand across Northern Ireland’s healthcare sector.

Strong outcomes from previous academies

The programme builds on strong outcomes achieved through previous Medical Administration Training Academies delivered earlier this year.

All participants successfully completed the training, with more than half securing employment or work experience placements within local GP practices.

This expansion into Antrim and Newtownabbey offers new opportunities for people who are unemployed, economically inactive, considering a career change or returning to work, particularly those seeking stable roles within the healthcare system.

Programme details

The academy will begin on Tuesday 27 January 2026, with sessions running on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9.30am to 4.00pm. Training will be delivered at the Northern GP Federation Support Unit in Galgorm, Ballymena.

An information session for applicants will take place on Tuesday 13 January 2026, where further details about the academy will be shared. Attendance at this session is essential in order to be considered for a place.

Who can apply?

The academy is open to Antrim and Newtownabbey residents aged 18 and over. Applicants must be available to attend all sessions over the eight-week programme, be comfortable using computers, and feel confident learning new systems.

Due to the high level of interest in previous programmes, selection criteria may apply.