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 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+What is VTOS?
VTOS means “Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme.” VTOS gives unemployed adults the opportunity of returning to fulltime education while remaining in benefit.

VTOS Applicants Must Be:
Aged 21 or over - Unemployed for at leas...

Hide-What is VTOS?
VTOS means “Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme.” VTOS gives unemployed adults the opportunity of returning to fulltime education while remaining in benefit.

VTOS Applicants Must Be:
Aged 21 or over - Unemployed for at least 156 day - On receipt of social welfare benefits.

VTOS….the facts Take up the VTOS challenge and immediately the benefits are:
• Getting back to education
• Payments equal to your social welfare benefits
• Lunch and travel allowances
• No fees

Successful graduates of the course can enter the employment market in the areas of IT support, software design & development. They can also use their award to apply directly through the CAO to study in 3rd level colleges in courses up to and including level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications.