Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS)

"As a single mother returning to school for the first time, VTOS has been a big help to me both by subsidising my creche expenses and covering my course and exam fees. I would encourage anyone in my situation to contact the VTOS Officer at the Cork College of Commerce."

Download VTOS application form here

What is VTOS?

it is a Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme, which is suitable for those adults who have been out of education and wish to return. You must fill out a College Application Form and a VTOS application form.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE? 

You must be over 21 years and have been receiving benefits for at least 156 days. 

Please note: Places are limited and are prioritised on the basis of:

Educational need
Time on social welfare.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR VTOS? 

• Fill out College Course Application form
• Complete Part 1, 2 and 3 of the VTOS application form (DO NOT complete Part 4 and DO NOT send in the form yourself to Social Welfare). The VTOS co-ordinator will contact Social Welfare about these details.
• Return the form to the VTOS office in the College of Commerce.
• The closing date for VTOS application forms is the Thursday 6th September 2012.. Any application received after this date will be regarded as a late application.

If you fail to get a VTOS place, you can apply for a Back to Education allowance through your Social Welfare Office.

Students between 18 and 21 years with at least 6 months on Social Welfare and who left school early, can apply for Early School Leavers Allowance through the Department of Social Welfare.

WHAT ARE THE QUALIFYING BENEFITS? 

• Unemployed on Jobseekers Allowance of Jobseekers Benefit. 
• One Parent Family Allowance
• Prisoner’s Spouse
• An adult dependent on a person in receipt of unemployment assistance
• A person on Disability Allowance
• A person on Illness benefit (you must apply to the Exemption Section, Dept of Social, Community & Family Affairs, Store St., Dublin 1 for an exemption to attend the course.)
   

WHAT BENEFITS WILL I OBTAIN? 

Full weekly Social Welfare payment and any secondary benefits you already have, such as:-

• Fuel Allowance
• Rent Allowance
• Mortgage Interest Supplements
• No Course Fees
• Meal Allowance (€4.00 per week)
• Travel allowance (if you are staying more than 3 miles from the College while attending)

You may also qualify for the €20.00 weekly training allowance if you are on Social Welfare benefits for a year or more immediately before starting on the VTOS programme (this does not apply to adult dependants).

WHAT ABOUT CRÈCHE FACILITIES?

An allowance will be paid towards crèche places in a community day care centre. You must obtain the crèche place yourself.

WHAT TYPE OF COURSES CAN I ATTEND?

Any full time day course in the Cork College of Commerce
 

CAN I APPLY FOR A GRANT AS WELL?

No. Since the 2010 budget, people in receipt of VTOS or Back-To-Education Allowance will not be eligible for student support grants.

CAN I APPLY FOR RENT ALLOWANCE/MORTGAGE SUBSIDY?

Yes. Apply through the Southern Health Board, Georges Quay, Cork.

FURTHER ENQUIRIES

Ms Siobhán Lehane 
021 4223 806 (direct line) 021 4222 100 (switchboard)

E-mail: slehane@ccoc.ie