It makes less noise than the General managerbut continuing education and continuing education (FET) offers a range of career-focused options for school leavers – and it would be a mistake not to explore them.

Over the past few years, I have spoken with countless students who have thrived in apprenticeships, post-Leaving Cert (PLC) courses and work placements.

Some were very efficient who did not achieve the necessary points for their course of study and completed a one-year PLC at a local tertiary institution, which opened the door to the CAD course of their choice. Others wanted a ready-to-use professional qualification and found it in an apprenticeship, allowing them to earn money while learning. A student achieved excellent results in the Leaving Cert, but decided that a year in a PLC would serve as a bridge between school and university.

“In Ireland, one in ten adults – around 423,000 people – took part in FET courses and apprenticeships in the last year,” says Maria Walshe, director of branding, communications and strategy implementation FET at Solas.

“Rapidly becoming a preferred destination for school leavers, increasing numbers of students are now choosing the FET route. Last year, for example, course registrations increased by 11 per cent year-on-year for QQI level five and six courses, also known as PLCs.

Walshe says FET is not only a wise choice for school leavers, but also a pathway that provides opportunities that can take learners straight into a career, whilst also providing progression routes into higher education .

“For those who are unsure of their next step after school, FET can offer students the opportunity to set their own pace and explore a subject or interest before applying to a four-year degree.”

Paige Tomlin, a 19-year-old recent graduate, is studying a PLC computer science course at Blackrock College of Further Education.

“I was one of the lucky students who was offered computer science as a Leaving Cert subject, and I really enjoyed it,” she says.

“I loved the coding aspect and knew it was an area I would love to work in.” But I didn’t do my Leaving Cert well enough to get the points. During my research, I learned that PLC could be a gateway to computer science at TU Dublin or DCU, so I went for it.

“The course includes five days of lessons per week, but it is not too intense because there are intervals between some lessons. This also includes internship hours and it is even possible to take an eight-day course in Portugal.

“There is coding, math, web development, databases, spreadsheets and communications – where we had the opportunity to work on our CVs – in the course so even if I want to go at university there are also opportunities for us to go directly into the job market. »

Unlike the third level, the fees are minimal and this year Tomlin only had to pay €50 in registration fees. (It should be noted that some PLCs, particularly in the art and design fields, may require students to purchase materials or supplies, which may end up costing more).

Tomlin says she really enjoyed the class.

“We have done collaborative work as part of group projects and we have worked solo. I made friends on the course and I’m really happy I followed it.

The possibilities are endless with FET, says Walshe.

“They take students into a wide range of exciting careers, through courses in areas as diverse as commissary, animal care, games production, cybersecurity, personal training and applied science.

“The beauty of FET is that it’s for everyone. Available in all counties and delivered by FET colleges under the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) across the country, FET can take students into a world of careers, all without the need to move far from home.

FET courses are available in every county and delivered by FET colleges under the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) across the country.

“FET can take students into a world of careers, all without having to travel far from home,” says Walshe.

“There are plenty of opportunities for students to explore FET courses on offer in their local community, as well as pathways from FET to university. Open days are organized regularly by FET schools and are definitely worth a visit.

• Students can contact their local ETBs for more information or explore the FET courses offered on cao.ie/options. Applications for FET courses can be submitted online via fetchcourses.ie.
• In addition to this offer aimed at recent graduates of the school, a new suite of more than 40 joint study programs has been developed by the National Higher Education Office (NTO) in collaboration with partners from the higher education and higher education. These study programs begin at a FET college. Students then spend one to two years there, then automatically transfer (subject to passing exams) to a higher education institution to complete a degree program. For more information, see nto.hea.ie
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