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: These Level 3 programmes are all targeted at adults and young adults who may 1) be progressing from Level 2 programmes, have few or no previous qualifications 2) want to develop the skills and capacity to progress further in education and...

Hide-Education: These Level 3 programmes are all targeted at adults and young adults who may 1) be progressing from Level 2 programmes, have few or no previous qualifications 2) want to develop the skills and capacity to progress further in education and training 3) have qualifications at this level but need to re-enter education to re-establish confidence and 4) consolidate core skills. It is expected that learners will come from a wide variety of social and cultural backgrounds and with a range of learning needs.

Aptitude: Ideally learners will have at least NFQ Level 2 qualifications. Where this is not the case pre-entry assessment will be offered to learners enrolling on a full time programme. It is expected that in order to participate successfully. Learners will need to be able to demonstrate 1) Adequate reading, writing and numeracy skills 2) Ability to participate in group work 3) Some autonomy when it comes to performing simple work/learning related tasks 4) In relation to some of the standalone IT courses it may be advantageous for learners to have basic 5) internet and email skills and/or basic keyboard or word processing skills

Previous Experience: Ideally learners will have at least NFQ Level 2 qualifications. Where this is not the case pre-entry assessment will be offered to learners enrolling on a full time programme.

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+This full-time course is for adults who need to improve their basic skills such as reading, writing, speaking and technology. The coursework is adult-orientated with individual support and career guidance provided. Learners will achieve a number of Q...

Hide-This full-time course is for adults who need to improve their basic skills such as reading, writing, speaking and technology. The coursework is adult-orientated with individual support and career guidance provided. Learners will achieve a number of QQI modules and get a broad educational foundation and will be enabled to make better career choices.

Further Details
The Further Education & Training Centre at Kilmallock Road Campus (formerly St. Enda’s) is a new state-of-the-art site for adult learning in Limerick City. Courses here are organised by VTOS, FAI, Limerick College of Further Education, SOLAS Training Centre as well as Community Education. Learners make great advances in their learning and most will progress into employment or further studies. Many social and cultural events take place throughout the year which add greatly to the friendly atmosphere in the building.