Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme - VTOS

The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) is a second chance education and training programme, which provides courses of up to two years duration for unemployed people.

To be eligible for the scheme one must be:

over 21 years of age

unemployed, and at least six months in receipt of specific social welfare payments.

People aged 21 and over, and in receipt of Unemployment Benefit/Assistance, One-Parent Family Payment, Disability Allowance, Disability Benefit, Invalidity Pension for at least six months prior to joining the programme are eligible for VTOS. Those signing for credits who satisfy these conditions, and dependant spouses of eligible persons may also avail of the programme.

Course Information

Courses are provided free of charge, and meal and travel allowances are available. Courses are full-time and can last up to two years, with 30 hours attendance per week.

Participants on VTOS can pursue courses covering a wide range of subjects and activities. Certification is available at a range of levels, including Junior Certificate, Leaving Certificate, and FETAC Levels 3, 4 and 5. Further details are available by contacting the VTOS Centres listed below.

Persons on Unemployment Assistance or Unemployment Benefit will receive a payment from the VEC in lieu of their welfare payment, equivalent to the maximum rate of unemployment benefit. In the remaining cases, persons attending full-time will retain their welfare payment. A bonus of €31.80 per week is payable to those who have been in receipt of an eligible social welfare payment for at least one year directly prior to starting VTOS. Childcare support is also available.

Arklow VTOS
Arklow Further Education Centre,
1A Wexford Road, Arklow, Co Wicklow
Telephone: 0402 31665
Fax: 0402 31013
E-mail: vtosarklow@eircom.net
Co-ordinator: Maria Maguire
Centre Secretary: Melissa Byrne

Blessington VTOS
Blessington Community Education Centre
Old Vocational School, Blessington, Co Wicklow
Telephone: 045 891099
Fax: 045 891099
Co-ordinator: Andrea Booth
Centre Secretary:Theresa Nugent

Bray VTOS
Bray Adult Education Centre
Putland Road, Bray, Co Wicklow
Telephone: 01 2869607
Fax: 01 2869607
E-mail: bvtos@yahoo.com
Co-ordinator: Denis Dodd
Assistant Co-ordinator: Ray Finucane
Centre Secretary:Andrea Walker/Gabrielle Carroll

Wicklow VTOS
Wicklow Further Education Centre
Enterprise Centre, The Murrough, Wicklow.
Telephone: 0404 64023
Fax: 0404 64024
E-mail: enquires@wicklowfec.ie
Co-ordinator: Freda Holly
Centre Secretary: Patricia Doyle