GRANTS , FUNDING & PROGRAMMES
BACK TO EDUCATION ALLOWANCE ( BTEA )
The BTEA is an allowance from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection ( DEASP ) to allow eligible applicants to participate in education while remaining on a Social Welfare payment . Eligible applicants are pair BTEA instead of their Jobseekers or other allowance or benefit – more information available on www . welfare . ie
VOCATIONAL TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES SCHEME ( VTOS )
The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme ( VTOS ) is a second chance education and training programme which provides courses of up to two years duration for unemployed people . Applicants must be aged over 21 years of age and in receipt of a Social Welfare payment for at least 156 days before commencement of course . VTOS is aimed in particular at unemployed people who are early school leavers . VTOS programmes are designed to meet the individual learning needs of participants . Courses are provided free of charge . Attendance is full-time and can last up to two years , with 30 hours attendance per week .
The programme gives participants the opportunity of :
• Raising their educational levels
• Gaining qualifications
• Developing knowledge and skills relevant to the workplace
• Progressing to employment or to further education and training leading to employment
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