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What are the options for Leaving Cert students outside of CAO?

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This week has been dominated by the release of CAO Round 1 offers and cut-off points for courses for 2021 which rose dramatically for many courses.

It is important to realise that there are plenty of options to progress in your education and training that do not depend on how many Leaving Cert points you have received.

As well as looking at the Available Places options on www.cao.ie, make sure to look at all the pathways open to you.

Post Leaving Cert Courses

Colleges of Further Education are still accepting applications for Post Leaving Cert (PLC) courses across a huge variety of career areas and sectors so check them out this week as places are filling up.

Entry to these QQI FET/FETAC courses is not based on points and once you complete them, you have the option to apply to higher education in Ireland, the UK and Europe through the many progression routes available.

Approximately one in five students applying to colleges and universities through CAO each year come from the further education sector.

PLCs give you a great foundation in a particular area before you have to commit to a longer undergraduate course.

Details of PLCs can be found on www.fetchcourses.ie , www.careeersportal.ie www.qualifax.ie and on the websites of your local colleges of further education or local Education and Training Board (ETB).

Check out www.kerrycollege.ie for an extensive range of options and help is available from their Admissions Office and Guidance Counselling staff. If you are interested in progressing onto higher education Information on progression routes see www.cao.ie.

Apprenticeships and Traineeships
It is also well worth looking at the range of apprenticeships available across multiple sectors including the twenty five craft apprenticeships categorised under motor, electrical, construction and engineering and an ever-growing number of options from fifteen different industry sectors including finance, ICT, biopharma, arboriculture, hairdressing, hospitality and food, insurance, logistics, property services, recruitment and sales.
These newer apprenticeships provide qualifications from levels 5 to 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications, which means that you can qualify to degree and masters levels in certain areas. Apprenticeships offer skills-based training with at least 50% of it taking place in the workplace and unlike full-time college courses, you are earning while you learn. For further information check out www.apprenticeship.ie
Like apprenticeships, traineeships focus on skills-based training in career areas where there is an identified skills need.
They span across a range of industry sectors including business and retail, media, manufacturing, agriculture, horticulture & mariculture, care, construction, engineering, animal science, fashion and beauty, finance, ICT, hospitality, sports & leisure and logistics. Traineeships last for between six and twenty four months with at least 30% on the job training.
You will find the details on https://www.solas.ie/programmes/traineeship/ and on the 16 Education and Training Board (ETB) websites located around the country including www.kerryetb.ie
National Learning Network

Explore the training options at the National Learning Network which has over 40 centres across the country offering specialist training and support services for students and adults who need special support. Training is provided in areas such as ICT, retail skills, construction skills, introductory and employment skills. You can get more information on www.rehab.ie/national-learning-network/ and you can contact the Kerry centre on tralee@nln.ie or 066-7122533

Study Abroad Options

There are still options for students to apply for colleges outside of Ireland. While most places are filled in Europe see www.eunicas.ie and www.medicalpoland.ie for details of some colleges that are still accepting applications. UCAS Clearing is open up to October 19 for students who wish to apply for vacant places on college courses in the UK. In these cases the sooner you apply the better.

Niamh Dwyer is a Guidance Counsellor in Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra, Rathmore, and Chairperson of the Kerry Branch of Guidance Counsellors. She is also a Careers Advisor - For details see www.mycareerplan.ie or follow @mycareerplan on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

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Kerry coaches firm honoured with All-Ireland title

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Kerry Coaches named All-Ireland All-Star Bus & Coach Company of the Year 2025

Killarney-based Kerry Coaches has been named All-Ireland All-Star Bus & Coach Company of the Year 2025 by the All-Ireland Business Foundation. This recognition also marks Kerry Coaches’ second Business All-Star Accreditation, having received its first accolade in 2024.

Founded in 1957, Kerry Coaches has established itself as a leader in the Irish transport industry, known for its exceptional service and commitment to quality.  With a fleet of over 100 modern chauffeur vehicles, mini-buses and coaches the company provides a wide range of transport services, including corporate travel, executive golf transportation and bespoke tours throughout Ireland and Scotland.

 Speaking on the achievement, Mike Buckley, Director of Kerry Coaches, said:

“We are incredibly proud to receive this national recognition from the All-Ireland Business Foundation. It’s a true reflection of the dedication, professionalism, and passion shown by every member of our team. Our mission has always been to deliver exceptional travel experiences, and this award reaffirms our position as a leader in the industry.”

Announcing the news of Kerry Coaches’ achievement, Deputy Chair of AIBF’s Adjudication Board, Kieran Ring, said: “It is my pleasure to commend Kerry Coaches for its outstanding performance in achieving the Business All-Star accreditation. After a thorough review, the firm has been honoured with All-Ireland All-Star Bus & Coach Company Of The Year 2025. Kerry Coaches is distinguished not only for its superior fleet but also for its exceptional team, some of whom have been with the company for over 25 years. This seasoned team brings an extraordinary level of knowledge and expertise, ensuring that every client experience is exceptional.”         

Managing   Director   of   the   All-Ireland   Business   Foundation, Kapil   Khanna, said:  “The accreditation, which is now held by over 700 firms, is needed by the thousands of small and medium businesses which operate to their own standards but have nothing to measure them by.”

He   added: “We   evaluate   a   company’s   background, trustworthiness and performance, and we speak to customers, employees and vendors. We also anonymously approach the company as a customer and report back on the experience. The business goes through at least two interviews and is scored on every part of the process against set metrics.”

About The All-Ireland Business Foundation

The All-Ireland Business Foundation is an autonomous national accreditation body tasked with enterprise development and the promotion of Best-in-Class Irish businesses.

As the accreditation body for the Business All-Star mark, the AIBF recognises Best-In-Class Irish 

businesses.   Companies   that   merit   recognition   based   on   an   independent   audit   of   their performance, reputation, and customer-centricity.

Business All-Star Accreditation Is The Nation’s Symbol Of Trust. Currently, there are over 700 

companies that are accredited by AIBF. Since 2014, over 5000 companies have participated in their programmes.

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Trainee Blacksmith forging a career at Muckross Traditional Farms

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Phillip Pestor-Young, a trainee blacksmith from County Kildare, is currently gaining experience under Master Blacksmith Tom Allison at Muckross Traditional Farms.

Pestor-Young is enrolled in the All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme. This programme is a cross-border educational initiative by the King’s Foundation, The Heritage Council, and the Historic Environment Division in Northern Ireland. 

Prior to moving to Ireland in 2019, Phillip trained as an engineer and fabricator in the UK. He is now developing his blacksmithing skills in Kerry.

For more information on the program, visit https://kings-foundation.org/study/all-ireland-heritage-skills-programme/.

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