VTOS / QQI 4

PREPARATION COURSE AND INTENSIVE ENGLISH (CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH)

What is the aim of the programme?

This programme consists of a unique blend of modules culminating in a QQI Level 4 award which will enable the learner to progress to either Healthcare Support/Pre-nursing QQI Level 5 or Medical Secretary Level 5

This blended QQI Level 4 course aims to enable the learner to develop the relevant knowledge, skill and competence in a broad range of personal skills and office skills. Upon completion, the learner will choose which stream to progress into at level 5 – Healthcare support; Pre-Nursing or Medical Secretary.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Take responsibility for personal learning, time management, study skills, research skills, report writing and quality of work in a structured context.
Reflect on personal performance and learning to inform self-understanding and behaviour.
Demonstrate a broad range of knowledge and some theoretical concepts/ abstract thinking related to general, personal, social and vocational concepts. Including a concrete understanding of personal, interpersonal and computer skills.
Demonstrate a moderate range of practical and cognitive skills and tools used in general, personal, social, and vocational situations.
Select appropriate procedures from known solutions to solve a variety of predictable general, personal, social, and vocational problems in domestic and public situations.

What is the course content and certification?

This course leads to QQI Level 4 Award in General Learning

Title	Award	Awarding Body
Computer Applications	Computer Applications (4N1112)	QQI
General Office E Skills	General Office Skills (4N1116)	QQI
Information Technology Skills	Information Technology Skills (4N1125)	QQI
Workplace Safety	Workplace Safety (4N1124)	QQI
Understanding Interculturalism	Understanding Interculturalism (4N1121	QQI
Human Biology	Human Biology (4N2910)	QQI

What are the entry requirements?

• Education: The learner who has either successfully completed a programme leading to a level 4 QQI Certificate OR can demonstrate the levels of knowledge, skill and competence associated with NFQ level 4 will be eligible to apply for entry to this programme.
• Aptitude: In order for the learner to have a realistic chance of achieving the standard of a level 5 award, it is expected that the learner should be able to: • Proficiently read, draft, prepare and understand information across a broad range of topics, for example, in relation to a community concern or a work based plan or solution • Proficiently read, draft, prepare and understand quantitative information • Assume partial responsibility for consistency of self understanding and behaviour • Solve predictable problems, independently and as part of a familiar and less familiar group • Demonstrate a range of practical and cognitive skills and tools • Act with a considerable amount of responsibility and autonomy • Attend timetabled classes for the duration of the programme • Complete self directed hours of learning in the form of practice time, preparation, study time and reflection time, as appropriate • Participate in all programme related activities • Participate in work experience, as appropriate
• Previous Experience: The learner may be progressing onto this programme from community education, Youthreach, second-level education or other formal or informal learning. The learner may or may not have had a positive experience of education in the past but will have expressed an interest in learning new things and practising new skills. It is expected that the learner will have a range of learning styles, strengths and needs related to the programme.

How much does it cost?

There are no fees for people who are VTOS eligible. To be VTOS eligible, the applicant must be over 21 years of age and:

• 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.