Expand+The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme is an educational opportunities scheme for unemployed persons which is funded by the Department of Education and Science with assistance from the European Social Fund. The Scheme is operated through the Vo...

Hide-The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme is an educational opportunities scheme for unemployed persons which is funded by the Department of Education and Science with assistance from the European Social Fund. The Scheme is operated through the Vocational Education Committees and provides a special range of courses designed to meet the education and training needs of unemployed people.

The aims of the scheme are :

to give unemployed people education and training opportunities which will develop their employability

to prepare people to go into paid employment or on to further opportunities leading to paid employment

Expand+•Education: No formal education or qualifications are required although applicants may have participated in primary and secondary education. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate a standard of knowledge, skill and competence equivalent to NFQ Le...

Hide-•Education: No formal education or qualifications are required although applicants may have participated in primary and secondary education. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate a standard of knowledge, skill and competence equivalent to NFQ Level 4 when accessing a Level 5 programme.

•Aptitude: Applicants must have a motivation to learn, an interest in the subject and the ability to acquire the knowledge, skills and competencies set out in the course.

•Previous Experience: Applicants must be able to demonstrate a moderate range of knowledge, skills and competencies relevant to the course, be able to work with responsibility and demonstrate the ability to work on their own initiative.

Expand+Eligibility criteria are determined by the Department of Education and Skills.

To qualify for VTOS a person must:
- be at least 21 years of age at the commencement of the course,

- be in receipt of an unemployment payment or signing for c...

Hide-Eligibility criteria are determined by the Department of Education and Skills.

To qualify for VTOS a person must:
- be at least 21 years of age at the commencement of the course,

- be in receipt of an unemployment payment or signing for credits for at least 6 months*.

Also, the course must be provided or approved by the local VEC for the purposes of the VTOS scheme.

A limited number of places are available to persons in receipt of One Parent Family Payment, Disability Allowance, Illness Benefit, Blind Pension, Invalidity Pension, Deserted Wife's Benefit/Allowance, Widow's/Widower's Contributory/Non Contributory Pension and Prisoner's Wife's Allowance and to qualified spouses/partners of persons eligible to participate in VTOS.

Periods spent on VTOS, FS training schemes, Community Employment, Job Initiative, Youthreach or time in prison can count towards the 6 month qualifying period.

Expand+VTOS is a 2 year full-time programme for Adults aged 21 and over who are in receipt of a qualifying Department of Social Protection (DSP) payment, or the spouse or partner of a qualified adult. Courses are free and you get to keep your DSP payment. T...

Hide-VTOS is a 2 year full-time programme for Adults aged 21 and over who are in receipt of a qualifying Department of Social Protection (DSP) payment, or the spouse or partner of a qualified adult. Courses are free and you get to keep your DSP payment. The calendar for VTOS coincides as closely as possible with secondary school holidays. Childcare Supports are also offered. The purpose of this award to is to provide Learners with the opportunity to acquire the knowledge, skill and competencies to work independently and under supervision providing business services and support in a range of business contexts and or to progress to further and or higher level studies. Components that will be studied as part of this programme are; Marketing Practice, Business Administration, Communications, Work Experience, Word processing, The Internet,Information and Administration,Spreadsheet Methods ,Payroll manual and Computerised and Desktop Publishing.In addition to the compulsory components a suite of electives are offered, both certified and non-certified, to support you in achieving your major award, learning or general interest. These electives are offered dependent on resources and funding. Each module carries 15 credits. Learners require 120 credits to achieve a Level 5 award in this area.