VTOS

Vocational Training Opportunity Scheme

Who is this service/programme aimed at?
This programme is aimed at the unemployed who are at least 21 years of age on the date of commencement of the course and must be available to participate full-time. All VTOS participants must be at least 6 months unemployed on the date of commencement of the course.

 

Please provide a brief description of this service/programme
The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme is an educational opportunities scheme for unemployed persons which is funded by the Department of Education and Skills. The Scheme is operated through the Education and Training Boards (ETB’s) 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

The Education and Training Boards (ETB’s) operate special VTOS courses which are particularly suitable for persons who have been out of school for some time. The courses are full-time and last for up to 2 years.

Certification is available at a range of levels, including Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate, and the Level 3, Level 4 and Level 5 QQI Awards on the National Framework of Qualifications.

 

Is a learner required to pay fees to participate?  If yes please give details
Courses are provided free of charge. You will be given books and materials free of charge and educational trips are also free of charge.

 

How do I access this service?
Contact the VTOS Co-ordinator at your local VTOS centre, details below;

 

For Services which offer a variety of programmes, please give the list of programmes on offer and their accreditation levels
VTOS Nenagh: VTOS Information & Communications Technology Skills 4M0855 with JC/LC Single Subjects
https://www.fetchcourses.ie/course/finder?sfcw-courseId=35128VTOS General Learning 4M2010 with JC/LC Single Subjects:
https://www.fetchcourses.ie/course/finder?sfcw-courseId=35127
VTOS Employment Skills 4M0857 with JC/LC Single Subjects
https://www.fetchcourses.ie/course/finder?sfcw-courseId=35129
VTOS, Thurles: Year 1:
Option 1: Using Information and Communication Technologies in Everyday Life
NFQ Level 3 Certificate in Information and Communication Technologies
(Computer Literacy, Communications, Internet Skills, Digital Media, Mathematics, Personal and Interpersonal Skills, Spreadsheets, Word Processing, ECDL)Option 2: Learning for Everyday Living
NFQ Level 3 Certificate in General Learning
(Communications, Mathematics, Nutrition & Healthy Options, Word Processing, Culinary Operations & Breakfast Cookery, Personal & Interpersonal Skills, Career Preparation, ECDL)Year 2:
NFQ Level 4 Certificate in Information and Communication Technologies
(Computer Applications, Work Experience, Spreadsheets, Desk Top Publishing, Information Technology Skills, Personal  & Interpersonal Development, Communications, Mathematics, ECDL)
VTOS Carrick
on
Suir
QQI Level 4: PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT
281033 EMPLOYMENT SKILLS
4M0857
2 Year Course Learning Outcomes 
On completion of this programme learners will have acquired a broad range of generic skills which will enable employment, under direct supervision, in a variety of sectors, or progression to further education or training.   

Year 1: 
  • Communications                                            
  • Teamwork 
  • Career Planning
  • Functional Maths
  • IT Skills  
  • Retail Sales Techniques
  • Customer Service
  • Computer Applications
Year 2: 
  • Work Experience                                                            
  • Workplace Safety                                               
  • Entrepreneurial Skills                                         
  • Retail Payments                                                   
  • Reception Skills                                                   
  • General Office Skills                                   
  • Maths                                                                   

Also includes 2 City and Guilds Courses:  

  • C&G Professional Bartending 
  • C&G Barista Skills 
VTOS Clonmel Core VTOS

  • VTOS Clonmel offers a Leaving Certificate programme
  • QQI  components are also offered in Year 1
  • The programme runs for 2 academic years commencing in September
  • This programme is particularly suitable for qualifying adults who were early school leavers
  • Long –term unemployed people and early school leavers are prioritised in the allocation of places

Dispersed VTOS

  • A limited number of VTOS dispersed places are allocated to applicants for a range of PLC Programmes at the CTI Senior College, The Mall, Clonmel.

The course runs for 2 academic years and commences in September

VTOS, Cahir NFQ Level 4 Certificate in General Learning
(Work Experience, Information Technology Skills, Communications, Mathematics, Painting, Drawing, Community Art, Design)The Course runs for 2 academic years commencing in September
VTOS Tipperary Town Employment Pathways Sports and Recreation Level 4

 

 

Details of any allowances a service user will receive, (if any) for attending particular programmes
Depending on your individual circumstances you may be eligible for the following:

  • Meal allowance
  • Travel allowance
  • Free childcare place for your child under the Childcare Employment and Training Support (CETS) scheme,
  • New entrants who are in receipt of a reduced rate of Jobseekers’ Assistance (JA) and who are aged between 21 and 25 will be paid a new maximum rate of €160 per week. However, learners in this age group with means will not be maxed up and will have their means taken into account when their rate of payment is being decided similar to all other learners.

 

Contact Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) Service
NENAGH THURLES CARRICK-ON-SUIR
Address: Teach an Léinn,
Kenyon Street,
Nenagh,
Co. Tipperary.
Coláiste Éile,
Railway Road,
Thurles,
Co. Tipperary.
Further Education and Training Centre,
Greenside,
Carrick on Suir,
Co Tipperary.
E32AN26 
Telephone: 067 33437 0504 21166 051 649932
051 649838 
Fax: 067 32417 0504 21166
E-mail: gobrien_1@tipperaryetb.ie legan@colaisteeile.ie fhennessy@tipperaryetb.ie 
Co-ordinator Name: Geraldine O’Brien Dr Laurenz Egan Fiona Hennessy
Administrative Support: Nuala Kennedy
Catherine Dooley
Bernadette Gleeson Fiona Hennessy
 
  CLONMEL CAHIR TIPPERARY
Address: Army Barracks Campus,
Dillon Street,
Clonmel,
Co Tipperary
Adult Education Centre,
Church St.,
Cahir,
Co. Tipperary.
Community Services Centre,
Michael St.,
Tipperary Town,
Co. Tipperary.
Telephone: 086 012 8684 052 744 2960 085 878 9945
E-mail: akearins@tipperaryetb.ie  sbrennan_1@tipperaryetb.ie
Co-ordinator Name: Anthony Kearins Sinead Brennan

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