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| Contact Details |
Contact
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Address :
Telephone :
Fax :
Email : |
Ms Maeve Madden
Co. Longford Vocational Education Committee,
Battery Road, Longford
+353 (0)43 45474
+353 (0)43 45470
ctcld@iol.ie |
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Introduction
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Ms MAEVE
MADDEN
VTOS Co-Ordinator |
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The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme
(VTOS) is a second chance education and training
programme for adults aged 21 years and over
who are at least 6 months unemployed. Candidates
are eligible for the course if they comply
with the following criteria:
Are aged 21 years or over and for at least
six months in receipt of:
- unemployment assistance
- unemployment benefit
- signing for credits
- one-parent family payment
- disability allowance
- disability benefit
- invalidity pension
or are a dependent spouse of someone in one of these
categories |
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The guidelines for the operation of the Vocational
Training Opportunity Scheme are drawn up centrally
by the Department of Education and Science,
and the programme is managed and delivered
locally by Vocational Education Committees
(VECs). County Longford VEC established its
VTOS programme in 1991 and currently runs
a 2-year, full-time programme from September
to July each year.
The course is provided free of charge with
materials and examination fees borne by the
course provider. Participants retain their
social welfare allowances as before. A bonus
payment of €31.80 is payable to those
who have been in receipt of an eligible social
welfare payment for at least one year directly
before joining VTOS. A travel allowance is
also payable depending on the distance between
the centre and the person’s home. In
addition there is a provision whereby those
who require childcare while attending the
course may receive a payment towards childcare costs –
invaluable to those wishing to return to full-time
education. |
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Recruitment
County Longford VEC is allocated a total of
40 places with new students recruited each
year. Recruitment takes place in July and
various advertising media is used including
local papers and radio, mail shots, parish
newsletters and flyers. All who have expressed
an interest (subject to eligibility) are called
for interview and places are then allocated.
Preference is given to those with lower educational
levels. The 2-year course commences at the
beginning of September.
Course Content and
Certification
The course is a 2-year full-time programme.
The thrust of the course is towards Business
and Computing skills and the subjects include
the following: |
- Computer Applications including Spreadsheet,
Database, Word Processing
- Manual and Computerised Bookkeeping
- Manual and Computerised Payroll
- Communications and English
- Enterprise
- Work Experience
The course offers participants the opportunity
to receive certification from a number of
bodies including the following: |
- FETAC – Business Studies Award
(BBSXX) Level 5 covering a minimum of 8 modules.
This is invaluable to those wishing to
progress to third level institutions.
- ECDL – European Computer Driving
Licence, which is a certificate of computer
competency recognised by employers throughout
the EU.
- City & Guilds Pitman qualifications
– internationally recognised certification
in computer and business related skills.
Assessments and examinations are taken periodically
throughout the 2 years and at the end of the
course participants are invited to a presentation
of certificates in recognition of their achievements.
As part of their course the participants establish
a social club and organise various events
and trips.
Progression
VTOS covers the range of provision from basic
education and training to advanced vocational
preparation and training. Longford VTOS is
proud of its progression history. On completion
of VTOS the majority of participants gain
employment or continue on to further education
or training at a third level institution. |
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