Further Education and Training (FET) and Apprenticeships offer Leaving Certificate students a wealth of smart options to unlock their potential after school. Providing valuable and recognised post-secondary learning pathways outside of the points system to school leavers, FET and Apprenticeships offer a broad variety of choices that are well-positioned to lead them on to a world of exciting careers.
The extensive range of opportunities available to school leavers through FET courses at QQI levels 5 & 6 and Apprenticeship programmes will be showcased at both the World Skills Ireland and Higher Options exhibitions over three days in the RDS, from Wednesday, 25th September until Friday, 27th September at the RDS, Dublin.
SOLAS, the further education and training authority, together with key partners from the National Apprenticeship Office (NAO) and the Education and Training Board (ETB) network, will have a strong presence at both events, highlighting endless opportunities for school leavers to leave the points race behind and shape their own pathway towards a future career that suits them through FET and Apprenticeships.
Attendees can find information at numerous stands throughout both events where they can discuss the many options across FET including over 2,000 Level 5 and 6 Post-Leaving Cert courses available at local level in every county, and 75 Apprenticeship programmes on offer across a wide variety of cutting-edge, dynamic industries.
See skills in action at WorldSkills Ireland 2024
For those interested in exploring skills-based careers with Apprenticeships, WorldSkills Ireland brings enterprise, industry, education and training together showcasing Ireland’s future skills careers and leading skills makers in one room.
Discover a world of exciting Apprenticeships, from traditional craft programmes like Stonemasonry, to recently developed programmes in hairdressing and cybersecurity, through interactive displays, run by ETB networks across the country, as well as information on all 75 Apprenticeship programmes at the NAO’s Generation Apprenticeship Hub.
Visitors can get inspired at ‘The Heroes Stage’, witness inspiring career journeys of Ireland’s ‘Apprentice of the Year’ nominees, and find essential career information at the Educators’ Zone. Students can also ‘try-a-skill’ for themselves, watching exciting skills competitions unfold over two days, as Ireland’s top skills makers battle to win national titles to compete at WorldSkills events internationally, in cheffing, carpentry, mechanics, hairdressing and more.
What’s in store at Higher Options 2024?
SOLAS and the National Apprenticeship Office will continue their partnership with the Higher Options event in 2024, where students can find essential information on a multitude of study, training and career pathways to help them make informed decisions on post-leaving certificate options.
In addition to higher education and international exhibitors, students, guidance counsellors, and teachers will have a great opportunity to speak directly with representatives from a selection of Education and Training Boards and FET colleges from locations across the country, together with the National Apprenticeship Office’s Generation Apprenticeship team, to gain essential information on local opportunities for school leavers across FET and apprenticeship provision.
FET and Apprenticeships will be an important feature in a number of careers talks scheduled to take place over three days, ensuring that students have the opportunity to consider all pathways and opportunities before taking their next steps after school.
The National Tertiary Office will also be available to highlight the 40-plus joint degree programmes now on offer across the country. Through these programmes, students commence a degree programme in a Further Education and Training College. They spend 1-2 years there and then automatically transfer (subject to passing exams) to a higher education institute to complete a degree programme.
This September, make sure you and your students explore the broad range of FET and Apprenticeship programmes on offer nationwide at WorldSkills Ireland and Higher Options. Please note that booking in advance for each event is essential for entry on the day.
Find out more about opportunities through FET for school leavers at thisisfet.ie or explore the diverse range of 75 Apprenticeships at apprenticeship.ie.
