VTOS (Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme) and BTEI (Back to Education Initiative), two major adult education programme strands, are strange sounding acronyms. They have little meaning to the general public but are very significant to adult education practitioners and to adults trying to improve their education and enhance their employment opportunities. In this article, the author first looks at the origins of both programmes, then compares the programmes as they have developed and continue to operate. The operating context for the programmes within the fledgling adult education service is then considered. The influence of EU funding is briefly noted within the evolving context of publicly funded adult education. Finally, the author offers some reflections on the maturing local adult education service.