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: Applicants should have a standard of knowledge, skill and competence equivalent to NFQ Level 3 when accessing a Level 4 programme. Applicants may have participated in primary and secondary education although no formal qualifications are r...

Hide-Education: Applicants should have a standard of knowledge, skill and competence equivalent to NFQ Level 3 when accessing a Level 4 programme. Applicants may have participated in primary and secondary education although no formal qualifications are required.

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 under direction with some 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+This Employment Skills programme under VTOS provides the learner with opportunity to complete QQI modules alongside some Junior Certificate and/or Leaving Certificate subjects. Employment Skills provides a solid foundation in a range of core subjects...

Hide-This Employment Skills programme under VTOS provides the learner with opportunity to complete QQI modules alongside some Junior Certificate and/or Leaving Certificate subjects. Employment Skills provides a solid foundation in a range of core subjects and allows the learner to effectively develop their employment and personal skills which enable progression to employment, under direct supervision, in a variety of sectors, or to further education or training.

All VTOS participants must be at least 21 years of age on the date of commencement of the course and must be available to participate full-time. Participants must be at least 6 months unemployed and in receipt of a relevant Social Protection Payment, signing for credits or spouse of an eligible person on the date of commencement of the course.

Expand+Communications (4N0689) QQI
Career Planning (4N1109) QQI
Computer Applications (4N1112) QQI
Customer Service (4N1989) QQI
Drawing (4N1878) QQI
Entrepreneurial Skills (4N1128) QQI
Information Technology Skills (4N1125) QQI
Spreadsheets M...

Hide-Communications (4N0689) QQI
Career Planning (4N1109) QQI
Computer Applications (4N1112) QQI
Customer Service (4N1989) QQI
Drawing (4N1878) QQI
Entrepreneurial Skills (4N1128) QQI
Information Technology Skills (4N1125) QQI
Spreadsheets Methods (4N1120) QQI
Teamworking (4N1169) QQI
Word Processing (4N1123) QQI
Work Experience (4N1168) QQI
Workplace Safety (4N1124) QQI
English as a Second Language (4N1180) 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
Irish Ordinary Level Leaving Certificate (DESLC) Department of Education & Skills
Leaving Certificate Foundation Level Mathematics Leaving Certificate (DESLC) Department of Education & Skills
Leaving Certificate Foundation Level Gaeilge Leaving Certificate (DESLC) Department of Education & Skills