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: The learner who has either successfully completed a programme leading to a Level 4 FETAC Certificate OR can demonstrate the levels of knowledge, skill and competence associated with NFQ Level 4 will be eligible to apply for entry to this p...

Hide-Education: The learner who has either successfully completed a programme leading to a Level 4 FETAC Certificate OR can demonstrate the levels of knowledge, skill and competence associated with NFQ Level 4 will be eligible to apply for entry to this programme.

•Aptitude: In order for the learner to have a realistic chance of achieving the standard of a Level 5 award, it is expected that the learner should be able to:

• Proficiently read, draft, prepare and understand information across a broad range of topics, for example, in relation to a community concern or a work based plan or solution
• Proficiently read, draft, prepare and understand quantitative information
• Solve predictable problems, independently, and as part of a familiar and less familiar group
• Demonstrate a range of practical and cognitive skills and tools
• Act with a considerable amount of responsibility and autonomy
• Attend timetabled classes for the duration of the programme
• Complete self-directed hours of learning in the form of practice time, preparation, study time and reflection time, as appropriate
• Participate in all programme related activities
• Participate in work experience, as appropriate

•Previous Experience: NA

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.