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A Post Leaving Cert course could be the perfect option

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By Guidance Counsellor Niamh Dwyer

Recent data from the Central Statistics Office (CAO) reveal that just over half of Leaving Cert students go straight onto a CAO-listed course.

Approximately 56% of school leavers accept a CAO offer and progress directly into courses in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). There are several reasons for this, the most obvious one being the huge variety and a growing awareness of options now available to students upon leaving school. These include over 1,900 Post Leaving Cert (PLC) courses for school leavers and adults offered by over 200 colleges of Further Education (FE) nationwide. In recent years about one in four Leaving Cert candidates has opted to do a PLC and there is a growing number of adults returning to education via the FE route.

Lots of good reasons to choose a PLC

Many Leaving Cert students find it difficult to know what area they want to study in after school. PLCs offer the chance to try an area of interest out and gain work experience before committing to a three or four year degree. It also prepares students very well for progressing onto studying that area in more detail, giving a great foundation for further study. FE colleges are similar in size or a little bigger than secondary school, so getting to grips with independent learning, as well as key skills in communications, IT, referencing and research in that type of supportive environment makes the transition to third level easier. Students who may struggle to get the CAO points required for the course they are interested in should definitely consider applying for a PLC course. There are a quota of college places on lots of CAO courses reserved each year for students who use their QQI FET/FETAC results from PLC courses to apply for CAO courses. In fact, about 20% of CAO applicants each year have completed QQI FET/FETAC awards. PLCs also make good financial sense. There are no fees and students can apply for the SUSI grant if eligible.

Applying to Colleges of Further Education

Applications for PLCs are now open for autumn 2023 for Leaving Cert and Leaving Cert Applied students, adults and mature students. Entry is not based on points and details of entry requirements can be found on FE college websites. It is possible to apply throughout the summer, but some colleges may have earlier deadlines. It is advisable to apply early as popular courses fill quickly. Begin by exploring the full list of options nationwide on www.cao.ie/options and www.fetchcourses.ie. Make sure to use the course search facility on www.careersportal.ie and on www.qualifax.ie to help narrow down the courses that are best suited to interests, skills, aptitudes and career plans. The Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and individual FE college websites also have lots of information about how to apply. For options in Kerry see www.kerrycollege.ie. Completing a PLC course greatly enhances employment opportunities and opens up pathways into Higher Education for those who wish to continue their journey in education.

Niamh Dwyer is a Guidance Counsellor in Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra, Rathmore and a member of the Kerry branch of IGC. See www.mycareerplan.ie or follow @mycareerplan on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

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Con O’Leary: Killarney loses a vibrant and popular personality

Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has led the tributes to the late Con O’Leary, an extremely popular and very successful businessman in the town, who passed away in the […]

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Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has led the tributes to the late Con O’Leary, an extremely popular and very successful businessman in the town, who passed away in the early hours of Sunday.

Con was a vibrant and popular personality in Killarney where he operated The Laurels on Main Street, a thriving bar and restaurant, which he inherited following the passing of his father, Thado.
The business organisation said from a social perspective, The Laurels became the beating heart of the town and it was a landmark at the Market Cross in the same way as Clery’s clock was in the capital city.
Chamber said Con’s passing really marks the end of an era as he was one of a golden age of inspirational local business people who developed and built Killarney, through hard work, bravery and great commercial flair, and helped create the wonderful tourist attraction and holiday destination it is today.
“Con was very proud of Killarney and he played a very active part in progressing the town at many levels.
“He was a man that was never short of great ideas and his contribution to the business life of the town and as a director of Killarney Race Company was immense,” Chamber said.
“He was ahead of his time in many respects with the introduction by what became known as “the singing lounge” many years ago and The Laurels always led by example through its successes in the annual Killarney Looking Good competition”.
The business representative organisation noted that the O’Leary family has always been very supporting of the town and Con’s daughter, Kate, was a very dynamic Chamber President and is still a very valued member of the executive.
Chamber expressed deep sympathy to Con’s wife, Anne, children Kate, Niall, Tara and Lorna, sons-in-law, grandchildren, sisters, relatives and friends as well as the dedicated staff in The Laurels, past and present, who Con always had great time for and a great rapport with.

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All Roads Lead To Kerry For National Road Safety Conference

Kerry County Council is to host a two-day road safety conference at the INEC Killarney on May 28 and 29. The ‘Safer Roads’ road safety conference is an inter-agency event […]

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Kerry County Council is to host a two-day road safety conference at the INEC Killarney on May 28 and 29.

The ‘Safer Roads’ road safety conference is an inter-agency event focused on improving road safety, reducing traffic-related incidents, and sharing knowledge and best practices for safer road use. It encompasses various strategies and efforts across multiple domains, including road design, engineering, enforcement, forensic collision investigation, technology, education, collision trends, occupational driving, cycling and scooting, e-mobility, active & sustainable travel and on-road events.

In addition to this, AI, Virtual Reality and Driver Simulation will play a significant role at the conference, in improving safety by predicting and preventing accidents, optimizing traffic, and aiding the development of autonomous vehicles.

This ‘Safer Roads’ conference is a non-public event where road safety professionals, speakers and service providers from across Ireland, other EU countries and the UK will attend, including transportation experts, government and local authority officials, roads policing and vehicle inspection agencies, road safety advocates, educators and promoters, collision responders, cycling bodies and community safety networks.

Kerry County Council’s Road Safety Officer Declan Keogh said:
“Road safety has evolved over the years to a much broader scope, in terms of e-mobility, sustainability, technology and engineering for instance. It’s not just about the road or the vehicle anymore, but also about how technology, human behaviour, enforcement, and education intersect to reduce risks and prevent collisions. The ‘Safer Roads’ conference will involve and include every branch of the road safety tree, right across the board, and in doing so, we aim to increase road safety awareness, improve road user behaviour and decrease the collisions and carnage we see on our roads every day,”

The two-day conference also provides an opportunity for exhibitors to attend, and interested state bodies, businesses and service providers are invited to exhibit at the event to showcase their products and services and engage with delegates and officials at the conference.

Further information about the conference and how to register or exhibit can be found here. https://www.kerrycoco.ie/safer-roads-road-safety-conference/

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