Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme
(VTOS)

The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme was set up by the government with aid from the European Social Fund to provide a second chance opportunity for adults over 21 who wish to increase their educational qualifications or to upskill themselves to reenter the workforce.

The VTOS programme in Kilmallock (running since 1994) has been designed to introduce people to the world of modern computer applications and to provide office and customer service skills.

No previous experience of computers is necessary in order to benefit as tuition is provided at a range of levels.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

No previous educational requirements are needed to be eligible.

• Anyone, 21 years of age and over, who is in receipt of social welfare payments or who has been signing on for credits for at least 6 months.
• Spouses of the above for whom an Adult Dependent Allowance is being paid.
• Lone Parents and those in receipt of Disability Allowances.

PARTICIPANTS ON WELFARE ALLOWANCES WILL RECEIVE THE MAXIMIMUM RATE OF UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT FOR THE DURATION OF THE PROGRAMME

A BONUS PAYMENT OF 32.80 EURO PER WEEK IS PAYABLE TO PEOPLE UNEMPLOYED FOR MORE THAN 12 MONTHS

There are no tuition fees

ASSESSMENT

Students are evaluated by a combination of ongoing assessment and end of year examinations.

CERTIFICATION AVAILABLE

1. FETAC level 2
2. European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL)
   Holders of this certificate will have demonstrated competence in the standard computer applications in every day use.
3. ECDL Advanced Word Processing 
4. ECDL Advanced Spreadsheets

SAMPLE COURSE CONTENT

• Word Processing
• Bookkeeping
• Databases and Spreadsheets
• Communications and the Internet
• Web Site Design
• Business Calculations
• Career Guidance and Work Placement
• Customer Service

CAREER OPTIONS

Our course gives people for a wide range of employment opportunities. Successful graduates can enter directly into office type employment or self-employment. There are also a wide range of courses in third level colleges for which they will have acquired the necessary skills to undertake.