1. Adult Guidance Service Co. Kilkenny VEC Guidance Provision in the VTOS Programme The Kilkenny Experience

2. Co. Kilkenny VEC Adult Education Service A Vision The Adult Education Service in Co. Kilkenny strives to operate from an “integrated service model of provision.”

3. Adult Education Service Adult Education AEO Youthreach Evening Classes B.T.E.I Community Education Adult Literacy V.T.O.S. Adult Guidance Stakeholders

4. Adult Education Service Objectives Create links between programmes. Create links between programmes. Develop and manage opportunities for programme entry and progression. Develop and manage opportunities for programme entry and progression.

5. Adult Education Service Challenges To develop strategies to enable the integration of the Adult Guidance Service into the present framework. To develop strategies to enable the integration of the Adult Guidance Service into the present framework.

6. Adult Education Service Opportunities To add value to existing programme provision. To add value to existing programme provision. To maximise benefits for participants on programmes offered. To maximise benefits for participants on programmes offered.

7. Co. Kilkenny VEC V.T.O.S. A brief history of V.T.O.S. A brief history of V.T.O.S. Aims of the programme Aims of the programme Objectives of the programme Objectives of the programme V.T.O.S. - Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme

8. VTOS Key target groups Jobseeker Benefit/Allowance participants Jobseeker Benefit/Allowance participants One parent family participants One parent family participants People on disability payments People on disability payments Dependent spouses/signing for credits Dependent spouses/signing for credits Invalidity pension Invalidity pension Widow/Widowers pension Widow/Widowers pension

9. V.T.O.S. Challenges To create the circumstances to enable the guidance element of the programme to grow and develop. To create the circumstances to enable the guidance element of the programme to grow and develop. To develop relationships within the centre to ensure the managed integration of the service. To develop relationships within the centre to ensure the managed integration of the service.

10. V.T.O.S. Opportunities To provide an additional support service to participants. To provide an additional support service to participants. To structure guidance provision directly into programmes. To structure guidance provision directly into programmes.

11. Co. Kilkenny VEC Adult Guidance Service Aim To provide for the guidance and information needs of adult education participants on the programmes offered including V.T.O.S.

12. Adult Guidance Service Challenges To design a guidance programme for participants. To design a guidance programme for participants. To ensure a smooth an successful integration of guidance provision into an established programme. To ensure a smooth an successful integration of guidance provision into an established programme.

13. Adult Guidance Service Opportunities To provide a structured guidance programme in the V.T.O.S. centre. To provide a structured guidance programme in the V.T.O.S. centre. To develop relationships with V.T.O.S. staff and participants. To develop relationships with V.T.O.S. staff and participants.

14. Guidance in V.T.O.S. Key Elements Presence in the V.T.O.S. centre Presence in the V.T.O.S. centre Direct timetabling Direct timetabling One-to-one guidance One-to-one guidance Additional guidance activities with the centre. Additional guidance activities with the centre.

15. Some Features of Guidance VTOS Kilkenny Integrated guidance programme Integrated guidance programme Timetabled guidance classes – Wednesday & Thursday Timetabled guidance classes – Wednesday & Thursday One-to-one guidance One-to-one guidance Assistance with Mock Interview – March/April Assistance with Mock Interview – March/April Visiting Guest Speakers – e.g. Social Welfare Facilitator Visiting Guest Speakers – e.g. Social Welfare Facilitator Visits to third level colleges Visits to third level colleges Adult Ed. & Careers Evening Adult Ed. & Careers Evening On going support & support relating to progression On going support & support relating to progression

16. Guidance in V.T.O.S. Content Vocational- Career exploration/planning Vocational- Career exploration/planning CV preparation CV preparation Job search/interview skills Job search/interview skills Educational - Exploring educational options Educational - Exploring educational options Course application Course application Personal/Social - Personal growth and development/ Personal/Social - Personal growth and development/ support support

17. Sample Content of Guidance Programme CAO Preparation – Making choices and mature application CAO Preparation – Making choices and mature application Career Exploration- including Career Interest tests Career Exploration- including Career Interest tests CV Preparation CV Preparation Exploration of skills, qualities & interests Exploration of skills, qualities & interests Interview Preparation & Techniques Interview Preparation & Techniques Job Search and preparation for work Job Search and preparation for work Funding and grant information & application Funding and grant information & application Personal Awareness/Development – including self-reflection. Personal Awareness/Development – including self-reflection.

18. Guidance in V.T.O.S. Guidance Counsellor – Supports Guidance Counsellor in V.T.O.S. Guidance Co-ordinator V.T.O.S Co-ordinator V.T.O.S. Staff A.E.O. V.T.O.S. Staff Guidance Co-ordinatorInformation Officer Guidance Service Team

19. What helps? Reflection and Learning Importance of integration Importance of integration Respect and understanding of different roles and responsibilities Respect and understanding of different roles and responsibilities Willing and openness of V.T.O.S. staff Willing and openness of V.T.O.S. staff Belief in the value of guidance Belief in the value of guidance A wish to succeed A wish to succeed A willingness to learn A willingness to learn