The VTOS Centre is located in the Old Vocational School in Boyle town.  

Modules offered are as follows:

Communications*
 Work Experience*
Business Enterprise 
Art & Design
Bookkeeping—Manual and Computerised
Desk-Top Publishing
The Internet
Web Authoring
Word Processing
Spreadsheet Methods
Database Methods
Business Calculations
Upholstery Skills

Caring for Children (0-6years)*
Child Development*
Early Childhood Education*
Working in Childcare*
Art & Craft for Childcare
Communications*
Work Experience*

Plant Science*
Soil Science & Growing Media*
Plant Identification & Use*
Organic Production Principles
Food Crops
Communications*
Work Experience*
Business Enterprise
General Studies Module

* Denotes mandatory modules in vocational area

Most Modules are offered at FETAC Level 5
while some may be offered at lower levels as required.

Horticulture
Croghan Education Centre

Are you interested in a career in Organic Farming?  Enrolment for the Horticulture(Organic) Course in
Croghan Education Centre has now commenced offering a Foundation Certificate in Organic Science,
FETAC Certification and a choice of worthwhile career options.

The two year FETAC Certificate Level 5 course offered by Croghan Organic Excel Limited in association with Boyle VTOS Centre
and Roscommon VEC, includes Plant Science, Soil Science and Growing Media, Plant Identification and Use,
Plant Care, Nursery Stock Production, Food Crops, Organic Production Principals, Communications, Work Experience
and Business Enterprise.  It is the only FETAC Organic Course in the region.

Croghan Organic Garden was established in 1998, sponsored by Roscommon Partnership Company,
FAS and Croghan Enterprise Company.  The garden operated through a Community Employment Scheme and in the 
first instant focussed on creating local employment and promoting Organic Production and Environmental Awareness. 
Since then it has grown and developed and has received many awards including the ESB Environmental Award in 2001.

The Croghan Excel staff have developed the Croghan Demonstration Garden into an award winning outdoor classroom.
Students also benefit from the additional Specialist Courses which are organised by the staff and the variety of
different services which operate from it, including School Tours, Environmental Workshops and Marketing.  

The Croghan Organic course is now well established and draws students from a wide area.   The FETAC qualification
provides career options including entry into Third Level Education and employment in the public and private sectors. 
For the self employed, the course is an important introduction to large scale or niche Organic Farming.

The course is of particular interest to young farmers or for those contemplating a new business venture. 
It is also available for those who have a natural love of organics and would like to become a little more informed.

Participants are required to have been unemployed for six months or engaged in a FAS Training Program or equivilant. 
The course is free to eligible persons and some travel expenses are paid. 
Students retain their Social Welfare Benefits (There is also a Trainee Allowance of €31.80) for the duration of the course.  Interested?

Further details and an application form are available from:

Donal J. Farrell.
VTOS Co-ordinator
Boyle VTOS Centre
Old Vocational School
Marian Rd
Boyle
Telephone: 071-9663246
FAX: 071-9662183
Mobile: 086-8262825
E-Mail: adminboylevtos@eircom.net
Website: www.boylevtos.org

OR

Bill Hestor, Manager,
Croghan Education Centre.
Telephone: 071-9668963.
Office hours 9am-5pm Monday-Friday.

Samples of Artwork from students during