If you’re unemployed, and feel your resume doesn’t quite stand up to the competition, Vocational Education Committees (VECs) and the courses they offer may be exactly what you need to get your career back on track. Appointed on a county-by-county basis, each committee focuses on courses at levels from basic numeracy and literacy, through employment focused courses, right up to full-on two years giving an extensive overview of important employment skills.
The VEC’s adult education courses vary by county by county, and are designed to satisfy local employment needs. Courses in computing, healthcare and childcare are the most commonly available, with many of the part time courses running in the evening, making them easy to access for people in full time work and looking to develop the work they are qualified to undertake. For those looking to improve their work prospects, these courses provide further qualifications without the need to sacrifice your current employment. Qualifications are usually ‘FETAC’ (or, in the case of computing, European Computer Driving License) accredited – certificates that are recognized internationally.
While it’s possible to pay to complete the courses, under certain circumstances they are also freely available. While these requirements are occasionally changed, those with a medical card, on benefits (or with a spouse on benefits), or who do not have a leaving certificate (or foreign equivalent) qualify to take the courses for free, subject to availability. The primary aim of the of the VECs is to improve the overall level of adult education, but courses are available to anyone. For those ineligible for free courses, fees vary from course to course and institution to institution, though as priority always lies with those who are taking the course unpaid, it can be difficult to get on to a course as a paying student.
For longer-term courses (for example the full two year option), a set number of places are allocated per county, per year, with the application process taking place in July and advertised on a county-by-county basis through local media. The courses themselves begin in September, and continue on a full time basis for around 21 months. Following application, places are granted based on interviews, with preference given to those applicants with the lowest level educational background.
Aside from standard courses, VEC’s also offer several courses that target specific social areas for educational development. The Youthreach programme, for example, targets early school leavers with practical, employment-focused training. The Senior Traveler Training scheme targets the adult travelling community, whereas computer-training schemes target those who need to update their basic technical knowledge for employment purposes. These VTOS have a great record of getting course graduates into employment, or in many cases into further, third level education. In some counties, English language courses are also available for unemployed immigrants with limited language skills. On top of educational courses, VEC’s occasionally fund sports and recreational activities - as and when they feel these will be heavily beneficial - through the youth and sports development service.
In order to help the unemployed into education, there are some compensating financial benefits on offer in exchange for undertaking VEC courses. Additional social security allowances are often given in exchange for attendance, in order to cover the cost of things like transport to and from classes, babysitting for attendees children and other expenses. Benefits are dealt with individually and depend on individual circumstances.
There are also more complete grants available, which follow a complex system that decides payments depending on both means and the course undertaken. Grant funding for many levels of education is usually handled by local VECs, so you may find yourself coming into contact with the local office for these purposes. You will need to closely examine the grant system related to your specific course, which is explained in detail on the education departments website.
