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: Applicants should have a standard of knowledge, skill and competence equivalent to NFQ Level 3 when accessing a Level 4 programme. Applicants may have participated in primary and secondary education although no formal qualifications are r...

Hide-Education: Applicants should have a standard of knowledge, skill and competence equivalent to NFQ Level 3 when accessing a Level 4 programme. Applicants may have participated in primary and secondary education although no formal qualifications are required.

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 under direction with some ability to work on their own initiative.

Expand+Applicants must be in receipt of a Social Welfare payment such as Jobseekers' Allowance / Benefit, One Parent Family Payment, Disability Allowance / Illness Benefit / Invalidity Pension for at least 6 months and be 21 years of age, or over. Applicant...

Hide-Applicants must be in receipt of a Social Welfare payment such as Jobseekers' Allowance / Benefit, One Parent Family Payment, Disability Allowance / Illness Benefit / Invalidity Pension for at least 6 months and be 21 years of age, or over. Applicants who are in receipt of Illness Benefit must get an exemption from the Department of Social Protection in order to join the programme. People who are signing for 'credits' and spouses or dependents of eligible people may also apply. Other categories may also apply.

Expand+Programme Aim
The aim of this programme is to enable the learner to develop the relevant knowledge, skill and competence in a broad range of personal skills which enable personal development and active citizenship, and/or to progress to employment a...

Hide-Programme Aim
The aim of this programme is to enable the learner to develop the relevant knowledge, skill and competence in a broad range of personal skills which enable personal development and active citizenship, and/or to progress to employment and/or further education or training.

This is a one year programme for adults interested in returning to education to complete a QQI Level 4 Award. Please note you must be eligible for VTOS to participate in this programme. People who successfully complete the programme have the opportunity to progress to further education such as Post Leaving Certificate Programmes at QQI Level 5 or to employment. There is a range of QQI Level 5 and 6 Programmes available at the CTI Senior College, Clonmel and graduates from Cahir VTOS can apply for these programmes.

VTOS General Learning Level 4 is particularly suitable for people who have not been involved in education for a period of time. The modules on offer combine different areas of learning such as Visual Art, Communications, IT and Maths. The programme is closely linked to the local community allowing the learners to involve themselves in community art projects run by Tidy Towns and Cahir Pantomime Society, to name but a few.
Participants are also offered the opportunity to participate in relevant field trips.