Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme - VTOS
Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) consists of a range of full-time (5 days a week, Mon-Fri) courses designed to meet the educational and training needs of unemployed people allowing them to gain nationally recognised qualifications and further their career and employment prospects
| Award Name | Level 3 Certificate (Level 3 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 3 NFQ |
| Award Name | Level 4 Certificate (Level 4 NFQ) |
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 4 NFQ |
| Award Name | Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) |
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 5 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 3 Certificate (Level 3 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 3 NFQ |
| Level 4 Certificate (Level 4 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 4 NFQ |
| Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 5 NFQ |
What is VTOS
Duration
VTOS courses are usually 2 years in duration. 5 days a week, Mon-Fri.
VTOS’s academic year starts in September but as VTOS operates a continuous enrolment policy, therefore if place is available persons can enrol throughout the academic year.
Eligibility
Applicants should be:
In receipt of job seekers allowance or job seekers benefit or signing for credits for at least 6 months or
In receipt of one-parent family payment, disability allowance, disability benefit* or invalidity pension for at least six months or
Are a dependent spouse for at least six months
(Periods spent on ETB training courses, Community Employment schemes, Job Initiative and Youthreach Centre programmes or time in prison, can count towards this six-month qualifying period but a person must be getting one of the relevant social welfare payments immediately before the course commencement date).
The following categories are also eligible to apply for VTOS provided they are at least 21 years of age and satisfy the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection that they have not been engaged in work for at least six months and are in receipt of one of the following payments:
Statutory Redundancy (can attend without waiting the 6 months)
Blind Persons Pension
Deserted Wives Allowance
Deserted Wives Benefit
Widow / Widower / Surviving Civil Partner’s Non-Contributory Pension
Widow / Widowers / Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory Pension
Prisoner Wives Allowance
*People receiving disability benefit should first contact their Social Welfare Officer about exemption/entitlement to the continuation of their disability benefit payment.
There are limited spaces on a VTOS Dispersed mode, this allows VTOS eligible participants to attend other full-time FET courses (e.g. PLC) instead of the VTOS courses and benefit from the allowances and supports available to VTOS participants.
Further information
All VTOS courses are advertised on www.fetchcourses.ie, You can apply directly through the ETB website link below, alternatively you can contact your local VTOS centre for further information and application forms (list below) or you can contact your local MSLETB Adult Guidance Service (Castlebar, Sligo, Carrick-on-Shannon or Claremorris).
Achill, Ballina, Ballinrobe, Belmullet, Castlebar, Drumshanbo, North Connaught College, Sligo, Swinford.
Courses are provided free of charge.
If you are currently getting job seekers allowance or job seekers benefit, you will instead get a training allowance at the same rate as you DEASP payment.
www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0046_2012.pdf
If you are getting a one-parent family payment or eligible disability payment, you will get paid your current social welfare payment directly.
You will receive a small lunch allowance and may be entitled to a travel allowance depending on the distance between your home and VTOS centre.
You will be given books and materials free of charge.
You may qualify for a subsidised childcare place for your child(ren) through the Childcare Employment and Training Support (CETS) scheme.
Participants retain their entitlement to any secondary benefits e.g. fuel allowance and rent allowance. You can also work part-time during your time off (evenings and weekends) without loss of benefits.
Courses range from Level 4-6 on the National Framework of Qualifications and are available in a wide range of subjects; Business Administration, Information Communication and Technology (ICT), Accounting Technician, Tourism and Business, Food Science, Heritage, Culture etc.
Achill
Mayo College of Further Education & Training
Achill VTOS Hub
Currane
Achill
Co Mayo
F28 TF68
Coordinator: Therese Ruane
Tel: 086 7036033
Ballina
Mayo College of Further Education & Training
Ballina VTOS Hub
Cathedral Road
Ballina
Co Mayo
F26 FEF4
Coordinator: Michael McIntyre
Tel: 096 71237
Ballinrobe
Mayo College of Further Education & Training
Ballinrobe VTOS Hub
Neale Road
Ballinrobe
Co Mayo
F31 FK54
Coordinator: Beatrice Brophy
Tel: 094 95 42995
Belmullet
Mayo College of Further Education & Training
Belmullet VTOS Hub
Chapel Street
Belmullet
Co Mayo
D26 D8H2
Coordinator: Teresa McMullen
Tel: 097 20901
Castlebar
Mayo College of Further Education & Training
Castlebar VTOS Hub
Lucan Street
Castlebar
Co Mayo
F23 FW70
Coordinator: Paula Donnellan
Tel: 094 90 25582
Drumshanbo
MSLETB FET Centre,
Drumshanbo Enterprise Centre,
Drumshanbo,
Co. Leitrim
Coordinator: Sean Bailey
Tel: 086 0624200
North Connaught College,
Tubbercurry,
Co. Sligo
Coordinator: James Hardiman
Tel: 071 9185035
Sligo
MSLETB FET Centre,
Quay St,
Sligo
Coordinator: Fearghal O’Boyle
Tel: 071 9138312
Swinford
Mayo College of Further Education & Training
Swinford VTOS Hub
Dublin Road
Swinford
Co Mayo
F12 DC93
Coordinator: Emer Mullins
Tel: 094 9251928