Check out Education and Training Options outside of CAO
Pathways to careers and courses open to school leavers and adults returning to education are extensive and varied. They have been developed to provide greater choice, access and flexibility to learners and are designed to meet skills needs in the workplace which has changed considerably in recent years and will continue to evolve. These education and training routes are available across multiple sectors, suit a variety of learning styles and provide progression routes onto further qualifications or directly into the workplace. A key feature of such pathways is that entry is not based on CAO points and applications remain open at this stage of the year.
Post Leaving Certificate Courses
Colleges of Further Education (FE) are still accepting applications for courses in a huge variety of subject areas including business, ICT, social care, childcare, law, beauty therapy, art and design, applied science, healthcare, law, engineering, multimedia, sport and much more. These courses provide students with skills to go directly into the workplace and QQI FET/FETAC qualifications which allow them to progress onto colleges and universities here in Ireland, the UK and Europe. To check out the full range of PLC courses available and to apply, check out www.fetchcourses.ie . For those who are interested in progression routes onto Higher Education in Ireland, take a look at QQI-FET Applicant section of www.cao.ie . Individual FE college websites also have lots of information available on entry requirements, course content and career options. Applications are open up to early September but the advice is to apply sooner rather than later as spaces on popular courses fill up well in advance of that.
Joint Tertiary Degrees
This exciting option which became available for the first time in 2023 allows students to start their degree in a FE college or local Education & Training Board (ETB) and after one or two years transfer to a partner Higher Education Institution (University) to complete the degree. Currently there are 29 degrees on offer nationwide across sectors and include nursing, business, IT, science, engineering and social work. For further details on courses, entry requirements and to apply see - https://nto.hea.ie
Apprenticeships
The number and variety of apprenticeships has been growing steadily in recent years and there are currently 75 different apprenticeships available across a huge variety of sectors including construction, arboriculture, electrical, biopharma, ICT, finance, insurance, logistics & supply chain, sales, agriculture, hairdressing, engineering, hospitality, healthcare, mechanics, auctioneering and recruitment. Apprentices are also paid while training and the ‘earn while you learn’ model is very popular with trainees, who can apply for apprenticeships year round as they become available. Applicants need to secure an apprenticeship through an employer who supports the ‘on-the-job’ aspect of the training, with the ‘off-the-job’ training provided by ETBs nationwide. For more details see www.apprenticehip.ie
Traineeships
Traineeships are a very attractive option for students who are in interested in work-based training in areas where there is an identified skills need and combine learning in the classroom and experience in the workplace to improve employment outcomes for participants. There are over 75 traineeships available nationally across a variety of industries including business, health and social care, constructions, engineering, transport and logistics, finance, hospitality, fashion and beauty, ICT and more. Traineeships start at various times during the year. More details can be found on https://www.solas.ie/programmes/traineeship/ also from the local Education and Training Boards (ETBs).
National Learning Network
The National Learning Network (NLN) offers specialist training, courses and support services for students and adults who need extra support to progress in their education or into the workplace. This includes young people students who may not want to, or be equipped to, access traditional post-school pathways. A key aspect of the NLN is a welcoming and supportive environment, small class sizes and the flexibility for students to learn a pace which suits their needs. More information can be found on www.nln.ie
Direct Entry Courses
There are over 200 direct entry courses to various college across Ireland in a variety of areas of study and duration. These can be researched by using the Course Finder facility on www.careersportal.ie and www.qualifax.ie . These include some private colleges.
Study outside of Ireland
There are still opportunities to apply for colleges in the UK and Europe. The UCAS Clearing system is open until October 21st which allows students to apply for vacant college places in the UK. See www.ucas.com for details. Applications are still open for some colleges and universities in Europe, where entry requirements are often lower than similar options here in Ireland. See www.eunicas.ie and www.medicalpoland.ie for more details.
There has never been so many pathways available into career areas, the most important thing for each individual is to find the one which best suits their interests, learning style, career ambitions and personal circumstances!