Now more than ever there are options available to people once they complete their leaving cert in Ireland. Years ago, you either did exceptionally well and went to College / University or got a minimum wage and struggled through life.
But now, just because you don't make your way to higher education the first time around doesn't mean you give up on your dream.
Further Education Colleges have taken the game and changed the rules!
Not only do they help you make up valuable points lost Further Education Colleges offer Link courses, Traineeships, Apprenticeship Programmes, Post Leaving Cert CAO courses, QQI mature student courses (over 23) and even some even offer supports to those who need help getting into the programme.
So you see, now more than ever, no matter your age, or past academic experience, you have options.
The Difference Between a PLC, Traineeship, Apprenticeship and Link Course
Apprenticeship
The whole going to college thing isn’t for everyone. Apprenticeships have been designed with this in mind. While Apprentices still engage in education, perhaps by attending a college campus at a technological university or a training centre for a day or two every week or a block of class time (one whole week per term) with the rest of the learning taking place on the job.
The highly valued craft apprenticeships in areas like electrical, hairdressing, engineering, beauty, motor mechanics and construction, are a great option for many practical-focused minds who are keen to start earning money and as they say, when you have a craft you'll always have a job.
However, there are now newer options too, including accounting, auctioneering, ICT, food and hospitality, insurance, logistics, recruitment and sales. There are now 64 different types of apprenticeships available across 14 different industries.
Apprenticeships are based around on-the-job learning, so apprentices do need to secure work, but big changes have been made in recent years to help make this easier, and you'll find a list of available jobs on Apprenticeship.ie.
Link Course's
The Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS) allows further education learners with specific awards to access a wide range of third-level courses in most of Ireland’s universities and institutes of technology.
HELS gives learners the opportunity to use their QQI Level 5 or 6 major award to apply, through the CAO, for a place in the first year of a higher education programme. Linked awards, special requirements and available higher education programmes are published by the admissions office of the individual higher education institution and on cao.ie.
PLC (aka QQI)
What is a PLC / QQI course?
A PLC course is usually a full-time course for post-secondary students that last from one to two years. They are held in usually held in Colleges of Further Education (CFE's) in smaller towns or villages they may take place in the community college.
This type, of course, is great for someone who is looking to gain skills in a specific area, or who is still trying to decide what sort of job or university degree could be best suited to them.
These courses tend to be targeted toward specific jobs. About half of your time on the course is spent on knowledge and training directly related to employment. You will also have the opportunity to go on work experience as part of the course, giving you hands-on experience in a job you’re interested in.
Traineeships
Traineeships are courses that vary in duration between six and 20 months, with a minimum of 30 per cent on-the-job learning.
They’re specifically aimed at someone who needs a particular qualification for a particular job, and that person could be a school-leaver or someone who is looking to make a career move.
Traineeships are available in the following areas:
- Agriculture, Horticulture and Mariculture
- Animal Science
- Business
- Care
- Construction
- Engineering
- Fashion & Beauty
- Finance
- Hospitality
- ICT
- Transport, Distribution and Logistics
- Manufacturing
- Media
- Retail
- Sports and Leisure
- Tourism
Over 75 programmes are available nationally in a range of industries with new Traineeships being developed on an ongoing basis by ETBs.
Traineeships:
- Lead to an award at NFQ Levels 4-6, or equivalent.
- Are between 6-20 months in duration.
- Include at least 30% of learning on the job.
- Combine transversal and technical skills development.
- Are designed for flexible delivery – online, face-to-face, and blended learning.
- Provide open access to prospective trainees, unemployed people may be eligible for income support.
- Respond to an identified industry skills need.
Why Attend a Further Education College?
There are an endless amount of reasons why you should attend a college of Further Education but for me it comes down to the following 3 reasons:
1 It Gives You Peace of Mind
Many Leaving Cert students apply for QQI courses as a backup plan if they don’t get offered a course through CAO.
Further Education Colleges offer students a place before they sit the Leaving Cert. This place is usually offered on the condition that they meet a requirement such as passing five subjects. The security of having a conditional offer for a QQI course can alleviate some of the anxiety as students eagerly await Leaving Cert results and CAO offers.
2 Take a Time Course as Part of Your Gap Year
If you don’t feel ready to enter into a college degree and you want to take a gap year, you could consider completing a QQI level 5 course.
Taking a Level 5 course is a great way to explore an area of interest or a hobby that you may not want to pursue as a career yet it only takes up a few hours each day or a couple of whole days per week, meaning you can take that year off and recuperate from the stress of leaving cert.
3 Get a Qualification
Maybe this should have been first, but finally and most importantly, QQI Level 5 and 6 courses are a great route to getting an industry-recognised qualification.
These courses adopt an integrated approach, focusing on technical knowledge, core skills and work experience. On successful completion of the course, students are well equipped to enter the workforce.
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