Am looking at doing a vtos course and wondering what is the difference between this and a plc course?

The Vocational Training and Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) provides a range of courses to meet the education and training needs of unemployed people. If you are over 21 years of age, unemployed and have been getting certain social welfare payments for at least 6 months you can apply for the VTOS scheme. The scheme gives participants opportunities to improve their general level of education, gain certification, develop their skills and prepare for employment, self-employment and further education and training.  VTOS is operated through the vocational education committees (VECs) and it is aimed in particular at unemployed people who are early school leavers.

The courses range from basic education and training to advanced vocational training. There is a wide choice of subjects available. The courses are full-time, about 30 hours a week, for example, 6 hours a day for 5 days. The courses can last for up to 2 years and many of them lead to qualifications such as the Junior Certificate, Leaving Certificate and the FETAC awards at Level 3, 4, and 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications. Once fetac level 5 is obtained further third level study is possible or entry to the workforce.