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: At access point the learner should be in a position to: 1. Read, draft, prepare and understand personally relevant information 2. Read, prepare and understand personally relevant quantitative data 3. Solve familiar problems and apply know...

Hide-Education: At access point the learner should be in a position to: 1. Read, draft, prepare and understand personally relevant information 2. Read, prepare and understand personally relevant quantitative data 3. Solve familiar problems and apply known solutions to a limited range of predictable problems 4. Complete self directed hours of learning and participate in work experience

Aptitude: Have expressed an interest in learning new things and practicing new skills - particularly new vocation al areas such as employment skills

Previous Experience: No previous formal qualification is required. However the learner should demonstrate the levels of knowledge, skill and competence associated with NFQ Level 3.

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 participants continue to receive th...

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 participants continue to receive their DSP payment. The calendar for VTOS coincides as closely as possible with secondary school holidays. Childcare Supports and Career Guidance are also offered.

Award Purpose
The purpose of this award is to enable the learner to build the
knowledge and skills required to progress to further
education/training or to re-enter the workforce. This course includes computer qualification to New ECDL standard. Options to progress to ECDL Advanced/Expert Certification are also available.

Previous Experience/Education
No previous formal qualification is required. However the learner should demonstrate the levels of knowledge, skill and competence associated with QQI Level 3/Junior Certificate standard.