Vol. 511 No. 4
117 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of places on post-leaving certificate courses open to students with an applied leaving certificate; the location of these courses; his views on the adequacy of this provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24650/99]
At the commencement of the 1999-2000 academic year my Department approved approximately 24,700 places in the post leaving certificate – PLC – programme.
PLC courses offer integrated general education, vocational training and work experience for those who have completed senior cycle or equivalent. The courses are delivered in a network of over 230 schools and colleges throughout the country. The bulk of the courses are delivered in vocational colleges in the VEC sector. There are over 1,000 courses to choose from in 60 disciplines. The leaving certificate applied is suitable for entry to the vast majority of PLC courses, with the exception of a very small number of courses approved by professional bodies.
Statistical returns from colleges offering PLC courses indicate that, overall, the number of places approved by my Department in the 1999-2000 academic year is sufficient to accommodate those who wish to participate in the programme.
A list indicating the location of centres offering PLC courses will be conveyed to the Deputy today.
A survey of the destinations of participants who completed the leaving cert applied in 1998 undertaken by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment indicates the following:
|
EmploymentPLC coursesApprenticeshipOther Training (e.g FAS CERT,TEAGASC etc)UnemployedUnavailable for work/unknown |
38%22%19%12%4%5% |
53%53%53% |
91%91%91%91% |
