Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme - VTOS
VTOS (Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme) offers free, second chance education and training to adults in a supportive learning environment.
| 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 4 Certificate (Level 4 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 4 NFQ |
| Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 5 NFQ |
What is VTOS
It caters for adults over 21 (or their dependent spouses) who have been in receipt of a specific social welfare payment or signing for credits for at least 6 months.
Duration
Courses take place during day-time hours, from September to May over 1-2 years. Course holidays are the same as post-primary schools including mid-term, Christmas, Easter and Summer breaks.
Eligibility
Applicants may qualify for VTOS if they are aged over 21 years and if they, or their dependent spouse/civil partner/cohabitant, has been getting one of the following social welfare payments for at least 6 months:
Jobseeker’s Benefit, Jobseeker’s Allowance or signing for credits
One-Parent Family Payment, Disability Allowance, Illness Benefit or Invalidity Pension
Blind Pension, Deserted Wife’s Allowance/Benefit, Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory Pension, Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Non-Contributory Pension or Prisoner’s Wife’s Allowance for at least 6 months (conditions may apply in the case of these payments)
Further information
LMETB has 3 VTOS Centres, In Dundalk, Drogheda and Navan.
What supports are available for VTOS learners?
While in VTOS, learners retain all Social Welfare benefits and receive a daily attendance-based meal allowance. Travel allowance and childcare supports may be available and course materials and exam fees are free of charge. Learners can also work up to 19 hours weekly outside of class time without social welfare benefits being affected. If learners are in the 21-25 age group, they are also entitled to the full Job Seeker’s Allowance rate while on the course.
VTOS offers full -time courses which help learners to develop skills for employment or Further/Higher Education. It can also prepare learners for a new career or a career change. Learners gain certification at QQI Levels 3, 4, 5 or Leaving Certificate, and retain their social welfare entitlements while on the course.
The courses offered in each centre can differ but below are examples of those available:
Improve your English and Get Job Ready QQI Level 3
Employment and IT Skills QQI level 4
Business and Employment Skills with ICDL QQI Level 4
Improve your English QQI Level 4
Leaving Certificate for Adult Learners
Introduction to Coding, Cyber-Security and Web Development QQI Level 5
eBusiness and Information Technologies QQI Level 5
Further Education and Training Centre
King Street
Drogheda
A92 R594
Phone Mary Reilly on 041 98 30870 or text on 086 7966165
Email mreilly@lmetb.ie
Further Education and Training (FET) Centre
LMETB
Chapel St
Dundalk
A91 EOAW
Phone Sinéad Fearon on 042 936 4627?or text on 087 7868881
Email sfearon@lmetb.ie
Centre Coordinator: Angela Cahill
ALPHA Learning Centre
LMETB
Abbey Road
Navan
Co. Meath
Email: acahill@lmetb.ie or vtosnavan@lmetb.ie
Tel: 046 901 2160
Mobile: 087 123 5572