Everything you need to know about VTOS courses in Mayo

They help provide a pathway to the workplace

The Vocational Training and Opportunities Scheme (VTOS), run by Mayo College of Further Education and Training, provides courses to improve your general level of education.

VTOS courses can help you to develop your skills and prepare you for employment, self-employment or further education and training.

You can apply for VTOS if you are over 21 years of age, unemployed and have been getting certain social welfare payments for at least six months.

You may keep your social welfare payment or get a VTOS Allowance.

There are a wide range of VTOS courses on offer in Mayo:

Ballina: Diploma in Accounting Technician Year 1,

Diploma in Accounting Technician Year 2.

Castlebar: Cultural & Heritage Studies Level 5.

Language & European Studies Level 5.

Tourism with Business Level 5.

Business Administration Level 5.

Ballinrobe: Business Administration Level 5.

Advanced Certificate in Business Level 6.

Achill: Coastal Guiding SP Level 6.

National Tour Guiding Level 6.

Swinford: Office Skills Level 4,

IT & Business Skills Level 5.

There are also a number of dispersed VTOS places on offer in the PLC courses in Mayo College.

How to qualify for VTOS

You may qualify for VTOS if you are aged 21 years or over and you are:

• Getting, Jobseeker’s Benefit or Jobseeker’s Allowance or signing for credits for at least 6 months (156 days) or

• Getting One-Parent Family Payment, Disability Allowance, Illness Benefit* or Invalidity Pension for at least 6 months (156 days) or

• Getting Blind Pension, Deserted Wife’s Allowance/Benefit, Widow's, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory Pension, Widow's, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Non-Contributory Pension or Prisoner’s Wife’s Allowance for at least 6 months (conditions may apply in the case of these payments) or

• A dependent spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of an eligible person

• A person who received statutory redundancy but who has not been in receipt of a qualifying payment for the required period.

Periods spent on FET training courses, Community Employment Schemes, Job Initiative, Youthreach programmes and time in prison can count towards the qualifying period.

* If you are claiming Illness Benefit, you should contact your local social welfare office about exemption/entitlement to continuation of your Illness Benefit payment.

Rates for VTOS for people getting jobseeker's payments

In general, VTOS participants who move from jobseeker's payments get a VTOS training allowance at the same rate as their jobseeker's payment.

However, if you are under 25 and move from an age-related reduced rate of Jobseeker’s Allowance you will get a maximum VTOS training allowance rate of €208 per week.

Any means you have will be deducted from this rate.

Generally, your entitlement to a VTOS training allowance will not be reassessed if there is a change to your circumstances (including means).

VTOS training allowance and work: If you are returning to your course for a second year, you will continue to get your VTOS allowance during the summer months.

You can also take up full-time work during the summer months and your VTOS payment is not affected.