NMCTP provides vocational training opportunities; learning supports and project-based learning to assist learners to achieve awards on the QQI Framework and to develop the capacity to progress to further training, education and work.

This programme supports many organisations engaged in a wide variety of activities including genealogy, environment, heritage, tourism, arts, sports and leisure. Some projects are targeted at specific groups experiencing disadvantage such as homeless people, travellers, recovering addicts, ex-prisoners.

This programme  is designed to provide opportunities for marginalised learners who are unable to participate in other training interventions for personal, social or geographic reasons. Local Training Initiatives are targeted primarily to people under 35 years of age, with no formal qualifications, who are early school leavers or have incomplete secondary level qualifications.

Anyone who is unemployed and over the age of 16, at any level of literacy, is eligible to apply for training courses through the NMCTP.