Amid recession, job losses, gloom and despair, an event being held in Galway next Thursday (Feb 25 ) offers people a chance to deal constructively with unemployment and emerge newly qualified to meet future demands for a skilled workforce.
This is when Galway’s adult education and training centre, VTOS will hold its first annual open day, in a new state of the art building at Merchants Square on Merchants Road.
“We have spent some 21 years equipping people with the education and training for an ever changing workplace and for further education. We continually adapt and modify our courses to meet social change” says co-ordinator Anne Corrigan, “but equally importantly by meeting prospective students at this time of year, we can advise them on course options for the new academic year in September.”
The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme provides second chance education and training to adults who are unemployed. It has been the springboard for mature entries into a range of professions, including IT, law, social studies, teaching, secretarial work and childcare.
The opportunities begin with a programme of courses comprising some 60 modules including: Enterprise, technical and interior design, marketing, computers, payroll arts and crafts, photography media, radio, and video.
The scheme also offers a full ECDL programme, leading to a qualification widely recognized as the industry norm in computing, all with a very experienced staff.
The full time day courses can be taken over one or two years for qualification in individual subjects or in subjects grouped together as overall awards. All courses are certified by FETAC, the Further Education and Training Council, which provides nationally recognized standards of education and training.
To qualify for these courses prospective students must be at least 21 years of age and in receipt of unemployment assistance for a minimum of six months or be newly made redundant, with many other social welfare categories also eligible The good news is that students retain all their social welfare entitlements while attending VTOS, as well as qualifying for other allowances for meals and travel. Childcare is also subsidised for children in recognized childcare facilities.
This is a great opportunity to beat the rush and secure one of these limited places before they become oversubscribed. For further information contact Anne Corrigan or Declan Ramberg on [091] 566885. For this information session the VTOS Centre on Merchants Road will be open from 9.30am to 1.00pm with expert advice available on courses and how to qualify for them.
