Changes Planned for College Applications in 2022
Minister Simon Harris has announced ambitious plans to reform the current system for students applying to college courses, apprenticeships and traineeships as part of a three year strategy published by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. Currently students who want to progress to higher education apply through the CAO system while those who want to apply to further education courses (PLCs) and traineeships apply directly to colleges of further education (FE) or through the local Education and Training Board (ETB). For students who are interested in apprenticeships they can apply directly to the employer or industry partner and also link in with the ETB and SOLAS. Concerns have repeatedly been raised about the fact that students at 17 or 18 years of age may be limiting their options too early so it is hoped that under the new scheme applicants will be more aware of the broader range of opportunities available to them and see the value of skills and work-based training. The plan also seeks to develop the opportunities for people to progress from one level to another in education and training.
New centralised portal
While the detail of how the process will work is still be worked out, a key change planned is the development one platform where students and adults will be able to apply for college courses in higher education and further education, as well as traineeships and apprenticeships in one single portal. This will certainly make it easier for applicants to look at all the options available to them and enable them to make an informed decision about which one suits them best. The other big change planned is the creation of a single credit system which will make it easier to move on from further education and training (FET) courses. In recent years there has been a big increase in students progressing from FE courses onto higher education through the Higher Education Links Scheme. The plan to create a single credit system will greatly enhance options for students by having clearer pathways of progression from these FE courses, and also traineeships and apprenticeships, into courses in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). It remains to be seen how the system will look in reality but the planned reform is ground-breaking and to be welcomed. It is hoped that more students of all ages will see the benefits apprenticeships, traineeships and FET courses as well as the huge variety of courses available in Higher Education Institutions which in turn will ensure a focus is maintained on the skills and knowledge needed in the current and future world of work.