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 3 when accessing a Level 4 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 and be able to work under direction with some 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.

Students may avail of a training allowance, meal and travel allowance and child care support dependent upon student eligibility. Students between the ages of 21 and 25 years may qualify for increased training allowance, subject to verification by the Dept. of Social Protection.

Expand+VTOS offers adults a second chance at education by providing a range of courses that are aimed at improving a person's ability to gain employment or to progress into either Further or Higher education. VTOS programmes allow adults to explore the lear...

Hide-VTOS offers adults a second chance at education by providing a range of courses that are aimed at improving a person's ability to gain employment or to progress into either Further or Higher education. VTOS programmes allow adults to explore the learning opportunities open to them in order to raise their general educational level and to develop their vocational skills. Adults return to education in a supported environment, working with teachers who are experts in teaching adults. Such a learning environment aims to develop the whole person, with students becoming more self confident in their own abilities and more informed in their learning choices.

Unistart Science is a college access programme that offers learners real potential for progression to further education colleges or higher education institutes and universities. Students will study core Leaving Certificate Science subjects which may include Maths, Biology and Physics. Students will be taught to develop critical writing, time management, teamwork, research and study skills. They will have access to extensive guidance in course selection and CAO application. Also included are IT and learning platform skills, college open day visits, mock interviews and direct contact with Access Officers from a range of Universities and Colleges. This programme has enjoyed great success with most participants receiving one or more college place offers. UniStart Science is aimed at people who are naturally curious about the Scientific world around us and who wish to study further with a view to employment in Ireland's expanding science and biopharma industries.

Expand+Information Technology Skills (4N1125) QQI
Research & Study Skills (5N3113) QQI
Communications (5N0690) QQI
Personal & Professional Development (5N2985) QQI
Chemistry (5N2747) QQI
Leaving Cert Ordinary Level Mathematics Leaving Certificate ...

Hide-Information Technology Skills (4N1125) QQI
Research & Study Skills (5N3113) QQI
Communications (5N0690) QQI
Personal & Professional Development (5N2985) QQI
Chemistry (5N2747) QQI
Leaving Cert Ordinary Level Mathematics Leaving Certificate (DESLC) Department of Education & Skills
Leaving Certificate Higher Level Biology Leaving Certificate (DESLC) Department of Education & Skills
Leaving Certificate Ordinary Level Biology Leaving Certificate (DESLC) Department of Education & Skills
Leaving Certificate (Traditional) Ordinary Level English Leaving Certificate (DESLC) Department of Education & Skills
Leaving Certificate Higher Level English Leaving Certificate (DESLC) Department of Education & Skills
Leaving Certificate Higher Level Physics Leaving Certificate (DESLC) Department of Education & Skills
Leaving Certificate Foundation Level Mathematics Leaving Certificate (DESLC) Department of Education & Skills