Smart Choices

Further education programmes, apprenticeships and traineeships offer career progression and skills enhancement outside the traditional CAO system

We asked the director of apprenticeships with Solas what apprenticeships have to offer

There are other avenues available to those who don’t want to go straight to third-level

ICT industry employs over 37,000 people and generates €35bn in exports annually

Traineeships offer opportunities across a broad range of areas

How I did it: Robert Wallace (32), Fastrack to Information Technology (FIT) apprentice

Areas in demand

What you need to know about alternative routes you can take to third-level

How I did it: Amanda Jonaityte is studying law in Trinity College Dublin

How I did it: Conor Farrell is currently completing an accounting apprenticeship

A list of terms and resources relating to adult and higher education

How I did it: Ruby Cooney completed two PLC courses before going to university

Post-Leaving Cert (PLC) courses now a first choice for students of all ages

How I did it: Marlene Douglas is in her final year of studying Law and Social Justice in UCD

How I did it: Evelyn Loftus completed the Peter Mark hairdressing apprenticeship

Programmes available across a range of areas in Information and Technology sector

Harry McCann on how the course contributed to his progress, growth and success