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 3 when accessing a Level 4 programme. For further information please refer to Programme Descriptor

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. For further information please refer to Programme Descriptor

Previous Experience: Applicants must be able to demonstrate a moderate range of knowledge, skills and competencies relevant to the course and be able to work under direction with some ability to work on their own initiative. For further information please refer to Programme Descriptor.

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.

Students may avail of a training allowance, meal and travel allowance and child care support dependent upon student eligibility. Students between the ages of 21 and 25 years may qualify for increased training allowance, subject to verification by the Dept. of Social Protection.

Expand+VTOS offers adults a second chance at education by providing a range of courses that are aimed at improving a person's ability to gain employment or to progress into either Further or Higher education. VTOS programmes allow adults to explore the lear...

Hide-VTOS offers adults a second chance at education by providing a range of courses that are aimed at improving a person's ability to gain employment or to progress into either Further or Higher education. VTOS programmes allow adults to explore the learning opportunities open to them in order to raise their general educational level and to develop their vocational skills. Adults return to education in a supported environment, working with teachers who are experts in teaching adults. Such a learning environment aims to develop the whole person, with students becoming more self confident in their own abilities and more informed in their learning choices.

This UniStart Engineering course will offer an alternative path for students who are interested in progressing to further education colleges, third level education or work in the area of engineering. This pre-engineering programme is a fantastic stepping stone regardless of whether you are interested in civil, mechanical , electrical or general engineering. The programme provides a strong foundation in IT, maths, science and engineering and gives each student extensive experience with current industry leading software such as Solidworks. This programme may include; Traditional theoretical components including Leaving Cert. Maths and Physics. A strong focus on practical digital computer graphics (Solid Works). Development of the individual through participation in teamworking, workplace safety, research and study skills modules will be offered. Specialised career guidance, support in CAO applications, college open day visits as well as mock interview practice will be built into the programme. This course is aimed at those with a strong interest in how things work and who are practically motivated. The inclusion of Solidworks makes this course particularly relevant to industry. Solidworks is the primary design tool for engineering design used by large multi-nationals in the Medical Device, Pharma, Agri sectors in Ireland. Currently there is a dearth of candidates with a Mechanical Engineering background and SOLIDWORKS experience right across the board.

Expand+Information Technology Skills (4N1125) QQI
Communications 5N0690 Communications (5N0690) QQI
Personal Professional Development Personal & Professional Development (5N2985) QQI
Leaving Cert Ordinary Level Mathematics Leaving Certificate (DESLC) ...

Hide-Information Technology Skills (4N1125) QQI
Communications 5N0690 Communications (5N0690) QQI
Personal Professional Development Personal & Professional Development (5N2985) QQI
Leaving Cert Ordinary Level Mathematics Leaving Certificate (DESLC) Department of Education & Skills
Leaving Certificate (Traditional) Ordinary Level English Leaving Certificate (DESLC) Department of Education & Skills
Leaving Certificate Higher Level English Leaving Certificate (DESLC) Department of Education & Skills
Research And Study Skills Research & Study Skills (5N3113) QQI
Leaving Certificate Higher Level Physics Leaving Certificate (DESLC) Department of Education & Skills
Leaving Certificate Foundation Level Mathematics Leaving Certificate (DESLC) Department of Education & Skills