The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) is an educational opportunities scheme for unemployed persons which is funded by the Department of Education and Skills. The scheme is operated through the Education and Training Boards and provides a special range of courses designed to meet the education and training needs of unemployed people. The aims of the scheme are:

• To give unemployed people education and training opportunities which will develop their employability

• To prepare people to go into paid employment or on to further opportunities leading to paid employment.

The courses are full-time and last for up to two years.

Certification is available at a range of levels, including junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate, and QQI Levels 3, 4 and 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications.

Target Group: Unemployed people who are at least 21 years of age on the date of the commencement of the course and must be available to participate full-time. All VTOS participants must be at least six months unemployed on the date of the commencement of the course.

How to access: Contact the VTOS Coordinator at local VTOS Centre

Contact details: VTOS Centres

• Teach an Léinn, Kenyon Street, Nenagh
  Tel. (067) 33437 Email: gobrien­1@tipperaryetb.ie

• Coláiste Éile, Railway Road, Thurles
  Tel. (0504) 21166 Email: legan@colaisteeile.ie

• Further Education and Training Centre, Greenside, Carrick-on-Siúir
  Tel. (051) 649932

• CTI Senior College, the Mall, Clonmel E91 K2E2
  Tel. (052) 6126969 Email: adulted@tipperaryetb.ie

• Adult Education Centre, Church Street, Cahir
  Tel. (052) 7442960 E-mail: tlooby@tipperaryetb.ie

• St. Ailbe’s School, Rosanna Road, Tipperary town E34 H596
  Tel. (062) 51905 Email: mryan_6@tipperaryetb.ie

For more details on VTOS courses, visit web-link,http://tipperary.etb.ie/further-education/vtos/ on Tipperary Education and Training Board web site.