BellTIME
BellTIME
Post Leaving Certificate
Options
CAO
The CAO closing date for
applications to third level
universities and colleges is
February 1st. Here is the good
news both to those of you who
have submitted CAO applications,
and those who are still trying to
make up your mind about what to
do after school:
You still have the option to
change your mind!
The facility to amend course
choices for a fee of €10 becomes
available on the 5th of February.
However, the free Change of mind
facility opens on the 6th of May
and closes on the 1st of July – so
there is plenty of time to reflect on
your choices. Even if you currently
are happy with your application, it
is a good idea to review your
course choices after completing
the Leaving Certificate exams. The
CAO application trends for 2019
will be available from early March
which can give an indication of the
likelihood of points going up or
down for different courses.
There are many more options
than Higher Education available
to you after school!
A recent study highlighted that
graduates from apprenticeships
and Post-Leaving Cert (PLC)
courses are rated as highly as
graduates from third-level colleges
by Irish employers.
PLC / Further Education
You can research these courses on
www.fetchcourses.ie and use the
links to apply for courses. Many
further education colleges and
PLC providers continue to accept
4
applications until all places are
filled and may not have a specific
application closing date. As some
courses are very popular, it is
advised to apply early so keep
your antennae up for those closing
dates which vary from college to
college, unlike the CAO system.
PLC courses:
• qualify you with a Level 5 or 6
qualification
• can serve as a back door into
HEIs
• suit students who for
financial/health/personal/visa
requirement reasons are not in
a position to embark on a 3-4
year programme.
• are ideal for any student unsure
if a course is right for them and
wants to try a short course as a
trial before committing to a
longer programme.
system. Many apprenticeship
programmes have deadlines for
applications from March to May –
but this is different for every
apprenticeship. Make sure you
research what the deadlines,
eligibility criteria and the
application process for each
individual apprenticeship you are
interested in. Typically, you apply
with a CV and/or application form
and if shortlisted – attend for
interview/s. www.apprenticeship.ie
is the main website with links to
specific programmes in the
different sectors.
Qualities employers seek in their
apprentices:
• Passion to learn
• Interest and flair for chosen
Traineeship/Apprenticeship
• Positive attitude
• Good communications skills
• Willingness to further develop
skills within the organisation
Apprenticeships
•
Reliable,
good time keeper
Apprenticeships have a strong
•
Dedicated
and focussed on the
emphasis on practical skills and
job
suit hands on learners i.e. those of
you who have trouble sitting still in • Good problem solver
class! You get on-the-job training
and “earn as you learn” as you are Does this sound like you? If yes,
then have a look on
paid for the duration of the
apprenticeship.ie, you may find
apprenticeship. There are now
your dream career.
over 40 apprenticeships available
in areas such as accounting,
insurance, engineering, logistics,
Traineeships
construction, electrical,
engineering, ICT, hospitality, motor Traineeships combine learning in
with many more in development in education setting with workplace
setting. The traineeships are
areas ranging from agriculture to
delivered by ETBs in partnership
recruitment.
with employers in areas identified
to have skills shortages, such as
As an apprentice, you are
employed under a formal contract business, construction, finance and
fashion and beauty. This means
of apprenticeship that is between
that the employability of those
2–4 years in duration with a
minimum 50% on-the-job learning. completing these programmes is
very high. Other useful facts about
The application process is
different from higher education as traineeships:
there is not one central application
• They respond to an identified
skills need
• Lead to an award at level 4-6
on the National Framework of
Qualifications
• Are between 6-20 months in
duration
• Have at least 30% on-the-job
learning
• Combine transversal and
technical skills development
• Are designed for flexible
delivery
• Improve employment outcomes
for participants
Details of traineeship programmes
currently open for registration are
available on www.fetchcourses.ie
or from your local ETB, where
information about entry
requirements and applications are
available for each traineeship.
Traineeships are ideal for the
student who is not ready to
commit to a course or job and
wants to try something out for a
short period of time.
Studying abroad
Did you know that a number of
European countries offer free
university degrees through the
English language, such as
Germany and the Nordic countries
(Sweden, Finland, Norway, Iceland
and Denmark). In the Netherlands,
though fees are Eur 2083, our
students ae entitled to an interest-
free loan from the Dutch
government with a long
repayment period. The entry
requirements are also generally
much lower compared to the
equivalent courses in Irish
Universities.
In addition to the many Irish
students are now attending highly-
ranked Research universities in the
Netherlands, increasing numbers
are enrolling in the programmes in
Universities of Applied Sciences.
These universities The UAS offer
programmes in areas such as:
-
-
-
Physiotherapy
Game Design
Business
-
-
-
-
-
Fine Art and Design
Fashion
Engineering
IT
Music Management
The programmes at the UAS are
much less academic and more
hands-on than those at the
Research Universities. Note that
entry requirements for UAS are
EITHER 6 passes at Leaving Cert
(inc 2 x H4) OR a relevant QQI
Level 5. Costs are low and student
finance is available.
Deadlines for applying vary from
country to country, a handful are
early in the year, most are between
May and August. To research your
options, see EUNiCAS at
www.eunicas.ie which is an
independent application support
service. You can search for
different courses in different
countries online and for a fee of
€28 you can get support and
advice on the application process
for up to eight programmes in
Europe.
UCAS
UCAS (to study in the UK)
application deadlines were Jan
15th but next autumn a second
opportunity to apply occurs
during Clearing. You can apply
through UCAS, view available
courses and may be interviewed
by telephone. Research ucas.com
for more information and be sure
to first of all talk to your
parents/guardians about the
feasibility of funding this option.
Employment /Volunteering
In addition, you may consider
employment and/or volunteering.
Work experience is an excellent
source of information about what
you are good at and what you
enjoy doing.
Your chances of gaining
employment are high, as
unemployment levels are
extremely low right now (approx
5.3%). Building up work
experience, gaining transversal
skills, independence and
developing as a person are all very
valuable potential outcomes of
employment.
A gap year can also, for some,
provide opportunity to travel and
volunteer, if you can afford it.
However, if you are looking to
volunteer abroad, carefully
research your options and any
organisation/company that offer
volunteer programmes abroad as
the quality and safety of such
programmes can vary significantly.
Don’t forget you can have the best
of both worlds: the freedom and
adventure of work/travel for a year
and the security of a college place
to come home to if you defer your
CAO place.
Some examples of useful websites:
www.careersportal.ie for
information on all options after
school
Activelink.ie for volunteering and
job opportunities in non-profit
organisations
www.irishgapyear.com
www.habitatireland.ie
www.projects-abroad.ie
www.enkosini.org
Whatever you chose, pursue an
option you like and are interested
in. The world is your oyster.
Enjoy!
Beatrice Dooley
President of the Institute of
Guidance Counsellors
Post Leaving Cert Options
5