School leavers should consider the broad range of local Further Education and Training (FET) courses that are on offer at Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board (ETB) after recently receiving their Leaving Certificate results.
Further Education and Training options offer an opportunity for students to leave the points race behind them and provide a pathway for students to build a career that suits them, that’s according to SOLAS, the state agency responsible for Further Education and Training (FET) in Ireland.
FET courses for school leavers, at levels 5 and 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), open up routes to university and prepare students for successful careers in countless cutting-edge industries.
SOLAS, together with the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) across Ireland, is leading transformation across the sector with FET now considered a valuable and recognised post-secondary learning pathway, outside of the points system. School leavers continue to be drawn to the wealth of smart choices available in every county that are well positioned to lead Leaving Certificate students on to a world of exciting careers.
Paul Patton, Director of Further Education and Training at Limerick and Clare ETB pictured at last year’s College of FET graduation ceremony.
Commenting on the expansive range of local Further Education and Training opportunities available for school leavers in Limerick and Clare, Paul Patton, Director of FET at Limerick and Clare ETB, said:
“There have never been more routes available to prepare those receiving their Leaving Certificate results for the career they want after school. This year, school leavers in our regioncan find an endless range of Further Education and Training (FET) courses outside of the points system at our multi-campus College of FET. We deliver courses in the local communities of Limerick and Clare that offer clear pathways for learners to study at degree level or to direct employment in an array of exciting careers. Our FET courses can alsoprovide school leavers with that extra time to develop their confidence and take stock of what kind of career they really want, all while gaining a recognised qualification.”
Commenting on the growth of demand for Further Education and Training across the country,Nessa White, Executive Director for Transformation at SOLAS, said:
“Leaving Certificate students can find a range of exciting opportunities through FET, with software development, beauty therapy, cyber security and engineering just a sample of the courses that are on offer to school leavers receiving their Leaving Certificate results today. There are so many options to explore, with many courses remaining open for application until the end of the summer.”
“SOLAS has seen unprecedented growth and demand for Further Education and Training (FET) in 2023, where the learner base growing by around 17.2% from 2022 to 2023. Last year alone, one in ten adults in Ireland – over 400,000 people were engaged in FET and apprenticeship activity last year. FET is also becoming a prime destination for school leavers, with increasing numbers of learners choosing this pathway to achieve the careers of their choice.”
“Our advice to students who have received their Leaving Certificate results last Friday is to explore all their options before taking their next step. There are countless pathways to prepare for your next step after school. Whether the next step is exploring options before university, following your passion or going directly into a career, there is huge value in choosing FET first to discover what interests you. There are endless opportunities available through FET to get students to where they want to be.”
Speaking on the endless Further Education and Training courses available nationwide,Education and Training Board (ETB) network, Paddy Lavelle, General Secretary at Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) concluded:
“We encourage school leavers to explore the vast variety of opportunities that FET has to offer in every county across Ireland. Local provision through 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) across the country provides school leavers with the choice to stay close to home while they take that next step on their learning journey.”
“In addition to the great variety of FET courses on offer outside of the points system, as a sector we have strengthened Further Education to Higher Education Pathways with an expanded number of Tertiary Degrees on offer by the National Tertiary Office providing accessible pathways from Further Education to University. For anyone who is still unsure about their next steps after school, I welcome them to discover FET courses available through their local ETB today.”
School leavers can explore local FET courses on offer at: collegeofFET.ie
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