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

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 cr...

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

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 ETB 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 means Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme. VTOS gives unemployed adults over 21 the opportunity of returning to full time education, while retaining their benefit.

FIT is a full time course which runs for a duration of two years. Succes...

Hide-VTOS means Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme. VTOS gives unemployed adults over 21 the opportunity of returning to full time education, while retaining their benefit.

FIT is a full time course which runs for a duration of two years. Successful learners gain industry standard and globally recognized IT qualifications such as Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP Client & Server), Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) and CISCO (CCENT).

In addition to computer training, learners will complete a module in customer service and do a fourteen week work placement in the second year of the course. Students will also have a number of personal and professional workshops.

FIT is a modern and unique IT led initiative that offers students the opportunity to acquire the essential skills needed to gain employment in the thriving IT sector.