College Types
VTOS will help the participants make the transition back into paid employment or back to further education eventually leading to paid employment.
Participants will make new friends, and acquire valuable educational qualifications in an adult-friendly environment. We offer a range of courses from basic to more advanced levels and we particularly welcome people who may not have had the opportunity to progress through secondary school.
If your are 21 or over and receiving a Social Welfare payment* or credits for at least six months, you can return to education at no cost under the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme(VTOS). You will be paid a weekly VTOS Training allowance equivalent to your social welfare payment, your books will be provided, you will get a weekly meal allowance and you may qualify for a travel allowance. VTOS students who have been unemployed for over one year may get an extra €31.80 social welfare bonus.
*Social welfare payments that may qualify for VTOS
- Unemployment Assistance/Benefit
- One Parent Family Allowance
- Disability Benefit/Allowance
- Lone Parents over 21 years in receipt of Lone Parent Allowance for one year or longer retain their Lone Parents Allowance, get an extra allowance per week and may be eligible for a crèche allowance.
- Widowed Person's allowance
- You are also eligible if you are the husband, wife or partner of someone receiving assistance/benefit.
What courses are available?
Leitrim VEC provides a range of courses designed to meet the education and training needs of unemployed people.
In Drumshanbo College of Further Education, we offer 6 full time courses over one or two years:
Business / IT Course; Traditional Irish Music; Art and Design; Media Engineering; Organic Production and Enterprise and Renewable Energy Systems
Who is eligible?
VTOS Participants must be over 21 years of age and be in receipt of one of the following social welfare payment for at least 6 months (156 days):
- Unemployment Benefit
- Unemployment Assistance
- One-Parent Family Payment
- Invalidity Pension
- Disability Allowance
- Disability Benefit*
Persons signing for credits for at least six months, and the Dependent Spouse of an eligible person are also eligible.
(* People receiving Disability Benefit should first contact their local Social Welfare Officer about exemption/entitlement to the continuation of their Disability Benefit Payment)
Periods spent on FAS Training Courses, Community Employment Schemes, Jobs Initiative, and Youthreach/Senior Traveller Training Centre Programmes, or time in Prison, can count towards this six-month qualifying period but a person must be getting one of the relevant social welfare payments immediately before the course commencement date.
The following categories are also eligible to apply for VTOS provided they are at least 21 years of age and can satisfy the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs that they have not been engaged in work for at least six months, and are in receipt of one of the following payments:
- Blind Persons Pension
- Deserted Wife's Allowance
- Deserted wife's Benefit
- Widow/er's non-contributory pension
- Widow/er's contributory pension
- Prisoner's Wife's Allowance
What about Money Matters?
VTOS participants retain their social welfare benefits. Students come off the unemployment register and do not have to sign on again while on VTOS. Payments are made by the VEC while on VTOS.
An Education Training Allowance is paid to participants who are at least 12 months in receipt of a Social Welfare payment before they start VTOS.
Participants retain their entitlement to any secondary benefits e.g. Fuel Allowance, Christmas Bonus, Rent Allowance.
There is no charge for these VTOS courses.
Books, materials are provided free of charge.
Examination fees are paid for.
A nominal Lunch Allowance per week is also paid as well as a Travel allowance to participants who have to travel more than 3 miles to the VTOS centre.
(Students continue to receive allowances during the summer months).
You can work part-time during your time off at evenings and weekends without loss of benefit.
Childcare support is available if the child is being minded by a Health Board approved childminder. (Contact the Health Board for information on approved minders)..
What are the hours of attendance?
VTOS is full time. All classes take place Monday to Friday usually between 9.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m.
Days off and holidays coincide as closely as possible with local school holidays.
Is childcare available?
Limited financial Childcare support is available if your child is being minded by a Health Board approved childminder / creche. Please contact County Leitrim Childcare Committee at 071 9640867 for details of providers.
When does VTOS start?
Students can attend for one or two years, depending on their personal needs. The programme commences each year in early September and runs until the end of June.
How do I apply?
Application forms can be obtained by contacting your local centre for further education. To view these centres click here
To view a list of colleges of further education hosting VTOS courses click here
Note: Before you start VTOS you will need to inform your local office of the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs.
