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 4 when accessing a Level 5 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, be able to work with responsibility and demonstrate the 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.

Expand+Award Purpose The purpose of this award is to enable the learner to build the knowledge, skill and competence required for participation in higher education, including acquiring a broad range of knowledge in an area of personal interest, and key skil...

Hide-Award Purpose The purpose of this award is to enable the learner to build the knowledge, skill and competence required for participation in higher education, including acquiring a broad range of knowledge in an area of personal interest, and key skills for academic research and enquiry. The main module is Research & Study Skills. Additional modules may include Communications, Work Experience, Word Processing, and a range of other modules. A total of 8 modules must be passed to obtain a full Award.

Please refer to Programme Descriptor for Programme Aims.

This Leixlip VTOS Course is a full time general education and work related programme for adults who want to upskill or retrain. VTOS aims to help learners make the transition to employment or into further/higher education. There are no formal entry requirements however participants must have a basic level of literacy (be able to read and write) and have a level of English, spoken and written, commensurate with the subject level. People have access to career and academic guidance Counsellors who can provide specific advice based on your personal needs and goals.

An applicant for VTOS must be at least 21 years of age and in receipt of (or have a dependent spouse in receipt of) an eligible social welfare payment for at least 6 months prior to joining. There are no tuition fees or charges for books and materials. Learners may be eligible for meal and travel allowances. Learners may also be eligible for childcare support.