The Vocational Training and Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) provides courses to improve your general level of education. VTOS courses can help you to develop your skills and prepare you for employment, self-employment or further education and training.
You can apply for VTOS if you are over 21 years of age, unemployed and have been getting certain social welfare payments for at least 6 months. You may keep your social welfare payment or get a VTOS Allowance.
The courses range from basic education and training to advanced vocational training and there is a wide choice of subjects. The courses are full-time, about 30 hours a week (for example, 6 hours a day for 5 days) and can last up to 2 years.
Many courses lead to qualifications such as the Junior Certificate, Leaving Certificate and awards at Levels 3, 4, 5 and 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications.
You can find a list of VTOS courses on the Qualifax website.
Please note: Places are LIMITED on the VTOS programme and are prioritised on the basis of:
- Educational need.
- Period of time in receipt of Social Welfare payments.
What are the aims of the scheme?
The aims of the scheme are:
- To give unemployed people education and training opportunities which will develop their employability.
- To prepare people to go to paid employment or to further opportunities leading to paid employment.
How to qualify for VTOS?
You may qualify for VTOS if you are aged 21 years or over and you are:
- Getting, Jobseeker’s Benefit or Jobseeker’s Allowance or signing for credits for at least 6 months (156 days) or
- Getting One-Parent Family Payment, Disability Allowance, Illness Benefit* or Invalidity Pension for at least 6 months (156 days) or
- Getting 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) or
- A dependent spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of an eligible person
- A person who received statutory redundancy but who has not been in receipt of a qualifying payment for the required period
- A Beneficiary of Temporary Protection (BOTP)
Periods spent on FET training courses, Community Employment Schemes, Youthreach programmes and time in prison can count towards the qualifying period.
* If you are claiming Illness Benefit, you should contact your local social welfare office about exemption/entitlement to continuation of your Illness Benefit payment.
What will it cost me?
Courses are provided free of charge:
If you are currently getting an employment payment, you will instead get a training allowance equivalent to the maximum standard rate of Unemployment Benefit. If you are getting One-Parent Family Payment or Disability Allowances you will get a payment equivalent to the maximum rate of your current social welfare payment. You will continue to receive payment in a normal way from the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs.
- You will get travel (for distances over 3 miles) and meal allowances.
- You will be given books and materials free of charge.
- Childcare support is also available.
What does the programme involve?
- 30 hours course attendance per week, (e.g. 6 hours a day for 5 days). Courses last up to two years.
- Courses include a wide range of levels, including Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate, and the Foundation, Level 1 and Level 2 QQI.
What opportunities will VTOS offer me?
- A chance to continue your education and training.
- A chance to develop new skills.
- A chance to gain certification at a range of levels.
- A chance to find good employment.
If you fail to get a place on the VTOS programme, you may apply for Back-to-Education-Allowance (BTEA) please note applications for BTEA must be made directly through your Social Welfare Office www.welfare.ie
VTOS is funded by the Irish Government and part-financed by the European Union under the National Development Plan, 2007-2013.
