Based in Drumshanbo, the Vocational Training and Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) provides free QQI certified courses to unemployed people, with a view to helping people upskill, retrain, gain employment or go onto further/higher education
Find out more about the Vocational Training Oportunity Scheme from our VTOS coordinator Sean Bailey
ABOUT VTOS
We offer a range of adult / further education QQI certified courses designed to meet the educational and training needs of primarily, but not exclusively, unemployed people allowing them to gain nationally recognised qualifications and avail of further career and employment support.
We are based in the Further Education and Training Centre, The Enterprise Centre, (Hilly Road) Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim,
Our courses are not wholly exclusive to VTOS candidates, however if there is an oversupply of applications, VTOS students will be given first preference.
VTOS courses:
Are FREE of charge.
Allow you retain your social welfare benefits (even if you miss a day of class).
Provide an increase to €203 for students aged 21—25 who are on an aged reduced rate of payment.
Qualify for National Childcare Scheme (NCS) formerly known as CETS.
Provide meal and travel allowances.
Provide the loan of a laptop for the duration of the course.
Provide CV and interview preparation.
Provide one to one meetings with an adult guidance counsellor.
With a potential 390 CAO points available there is the opportunity of progression to Institutes of Technology.
Provide Microsoft Office Specialist as an ad-on.
Include relevant work experience and field trips.
Include the opportunity to travel abroad for 2 weeks work experience under the Erasmus+ Programme – accommodation, travel and living expenses are covered.
Utilise the local link bus service from Carrick on Shannon brings students to Drumshanbo town in the mornings and brings students back in the evening.
VTOS Dispersed
If you are interested in attending a PLC course in Mayo, Sligo or Leitrim you may be entitled to do so under our VTOS Dispersed programme. This programme has all the benefits of VTOS and is applied for in the same way
Eligibility
This course is not wholly exclusive to VTOS candidates as there is flexibility on the criteria of age (over 21), type of social welfare payment, if any, the person is receiving, and the period of unemployment (greater than 6 months), subject to individual circumstances.
One is fully eligible for VTOS if you are:
Aged 21 or over and
In receipt of one of the following Social Welfare payments for at least 6 months before the course begins:
Job Seekers Allowance/Benefit
Farm Assist
One Parent Family
Disability Allowance/Illness Benefit
Invalidity Pension
Blind Person Pension
Widow/Widower(s) Pension
Prisoners Wives Allowance
Signing for Credits
A Dependent Spouse of an eligible person
People receiving illness benefit should first contact their Social Welfare Office regarding the continuation of their illness benefit payment.
People in receipt of statutory redundancy but not in receipt of a qualifying payment for the required period may participate on VTOS courses after being made redundant.
Periods spent on Further Education Training courses, Community Employment schemes, Job Initiative, Youthreach programmes and time spent in prison can count towards the qualifying period.
Further Education and Training Centre Drumshanbo
We offer a range of courses designed to meet the educational and training needs of primarily, but not exclusively, unemployed people allowing them to gain nationally recognised qualifications and avail of further career and employment support.
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Education for the future
certified courses
All our courses are certified and internationally recognised
certified tutors
The courses provided are delivered by certified professionals who will support you with your progression to further education and training
classrooms & materials
Our center is equipped with high-tech facilities ensure our learners get the most of their time here
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