As the Leaving Certificate exams draw closer, there is plenty of time for students to consider and explore a world of career opportunities through Further Education and Training (FET) and Apprenticeships.
Providing a wealth of smart choices, with a multitude of pathways outside of the points system, FET and Apprenticeships are well positioned to lead school leavers on to a world of exciting careers, giving learners a diverse and broad range of subjects, more flexibility and, ultimately, time for reflection when faced with important decisions.
There has never been so much choice for Leaving Certificate students, with 73 Apprenticeship programmes, and over 1,600 FET courses at Levels 5 and 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).
FET is for everyone and offers a fantastic range of diverse and exciting courses that cater to a diversity of learners. Available in every county through the Education and Training Board (ETB) network, FET offers students many benefits. It can enable learners who may not yet ready or able to move away from home to further their studies close to home, without having to relocate or face long commutes. For those unsure of their next step after school, FET provides the opportunity to explore a subject or interest over the course duration of 1-2 years before making a commitment to starting into a four-year degree.
Emphasis on vocational skills through work placement programmes and industry links means that FET can offer solutions to addressing critical skill gaps in the economy, preparing learners for direct entry into in-demand occupations that are emerging and expanding in the economy. There’s a world of opportunities available that can take students directly into careers such as dental nursing, cheffing, fashion buying, beauty and more.
Providing a Pathway
FET can also provide a pathway to university through a diverse range of pre-university courses across areas such as science, physiotherapy, engineering, law, and pre-apprenticeship courses, with many courses remaining open for application into the summer months. There is evidence to suggest FET graduates are less likely to drop out of third-level and gain a huge amount from the extra year – developing skills in research, presentations, writing and reference.
SOLAS, together with the 16 ETBs across Ireland and the National Apprenticeship Office have driven significant change in growing and developing the range of programmes for school leavers.
The launch of joint tertiary degree programmes last year by the National Tertiary Office in partnership with SOLAS and the Higher Education Authority, has been a gamechanger for many school leavers.
These programmes allow learners to apply to degree courses outside of the points system that start in further education and are completed in higher education. Applications opened from February for the over 40 programmes in 2024, with programmes starting in September.
Remaining open for applications throughout the year, Apprenticeship programmes provide a direct route into the workforce, offering a great mix of practical and theoretical learning, with the National Apprenticeship Office leading the way in driving reform across the national apprenticeship system.
Complementing the highly valued craft apprenticeships in areas such as plumbing, carpentry and electrical apprenticeships have diversified into new areas such as insurance, financial services, and software development, taking graduates from Leaving Certificate, all the way to NFQ Levels 9 and 10. The apprenticeship offering continues to grow into new and emerging industries this year and into 2025 with the development of programmes in robotics, beauty therapy, and more.
Apprenticeships are increasingly popular amongst school leavers, as the opportunity to “earn as you learn” offers an advantageous and affordable option to gain work-ready skills, together with a recognised qualification.
The future is bright for school leavers with an ever-growing variety of opportunities and pathways leading them on to the careers they want. Leaving Certificate students can explore 73 Apprenticeship programmes at apprenticeship.ie or discover a wealth of FET courses on offer in their local area at thisisfet.ie.
