LOOKING FOR an educational or training place outside the CAO system?
Over 10,000 Leaving Certificate recipients have not applied to the CAO this year. In previous years, many of these young people sought apprenticeships, places on PLC programmes, and places on Fás or Fáilte Ireland traineeship courses.
If you have not been offered a CAO place, or did not seek one, and are still considering your options, here are some that you might now consider.
Fetac courses available through you local VEC college.
Further Education courses prepare you to enter employment at a level where particular knowledge and the ability to perform a range of tasks to a high standard is required.
In addition, Further Education courses give you the opportunity to acquire skills that will be of life-long benefit.
The full list of FE courses at Level 5/6 for students with Leaving Certificate standard of education (or equivalent qualification) was published in The Irish Times in the supplement of Wednesday, August 13th.
These Fetac level 5/6 awards offer the opportunity of progression into further third-level studies.
Currently there are over 2,000 university and institute of technology places reserved for holders of Fetac level 5 awards, so you can use your award to apply for a CAO place next year.
FE courses are usually of one or two years in duration and offer Fetac certification.
Courses are offered in: health and welfare (41 per cent), social sciences, business and law (30 per cent) and humanities and arts (14 per cent).
Co Dublin VEC is operating an information helpline and advice service, with qualified adult education guidance staff, until mid-September, on 1800 20 40 80.
You can also visit CDVEC's website: www.cdvec.ie.
Still hope to become a nurse?
One group of school-leavers who will use this route are those who failed to secure a place in nursing this year.
There are 12 colleges in the CAO system that will allocate a small number of places each year to those who have a Fetac level five award in nursing studies (DCHSN), community and health services (DCHSX) and healthcare support (DHSXX).
If you have failed to secure a place with your Leaving Certificate result you can now apply for a place on one of the many pre-nursing programmes on offer through the Further Education colleges.
To be offered a place in a nursing degree programme next year, you will in reality have to secure distinctions in all eight of your modules, including anatomy and physiology, introduction to nursing and human growth and development or biology.
Seeking an apprenticeship?
Those seeking apprenticeships at this time are going to find it particularly difficult to source employers willing to offer them a place, due to the severe downturn in the construction industry, where most apprenticeships are based.
Currently, more than 1,400 existing apprentices have found themselves mid-way through their training without an employer, due to the current severe contraction.
Fás is currently seeking ways to enable these young people to complete their training, both at home and abroad.
If the Government holds to the commitments in the National Development Plan and Transport 21, there may be some hope for those seeking to secure apprenticeships in the current year.
For those who are lucky enough to secure an apprenticeship from a registered employer, the curriculum for each apprenticeship programme is based on uniform, pre-specified standards which are agreed and determined by industry.
On successful completion of an apprenticeship, a Fetac advanced certificate is awarded; this is recognised internationally as the requirement for craftsperson status.
Apprentices are paid the agreed wage rate and increases during the apprenticeship.
During off-the-job training, all apprentices are paid an apprentice allowance by Fás and, where appropriate, a contribution towards travel or accommodation costs.
There are also grants to encourage employers to recruit and register female apprentices.
The bursary provides a total grant of €2,667 to each employer for each female apprentice recruited.
The apprenticeship cycle is deemed to be complete when an apprentice has completed all of the alternating on-the-job and off-the-job phases of their apprenticeship, as well as achieving the qualifying standard throughout their apprenticeship.
Successful completion of the apprenticeship is a compulsory requirement in order to be awarded the Fetac Advanced Certificate.
To get further information about becoming, or employing, an apprentice, contact your local Fás office or go to www.fas.ie.
Traineeships with Fás.
The Fás National Traineeship Programme is an occupational skills development programme, which combines formal training with Fás and workplace coaching with an employer.
The range of traineeships, which are tailored to the needs of Irish industry and local businesses, offer programme participants, training and recognised qualifications, in technical and operative skills, personal service occupations, administration and business, agri-business, information technology, sales, and leisure and sport.
To register on a course contact your local Fás office.
On successful completion of the course, you will receive a Fetac award at either Certificate or Advanced Certificate level.
Careers in the tourist industry
It will be interesting to see if Fáilte Towersstimulates a surge in interest in the hotel and tourist industry.
This sector is one which can still guarantee employment to trained professionals.
Fáilte Ireland is still recruiting for its full and part-time courses in institutes of technology around the country.
For further information, contact the People in Tourism Centre at Fáilte Ireland on 1850 256 256 or log on to www.failteireland.ie.
Tomorrow: Brian Mooney on CAO trends.