James O'Connor
Ceist:107. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to reform the CAO process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58635/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 30 November 2021
Ceisteanna (107)
Freagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will appreciate, the CAO is a company whose membership is representative of the higher education sector with the participating institutions retaining full control over their admission policies and admission decisions.
Against that background, the developments to the CAO website for the 2022 application process are particularly welcome. A key goal for my Department is to enhance the visibility of further education and training (FET) and apprenticeship options for school leavers and the changes to allow school leavers explore options across the third level system, whether in higher education, further education or apprenticeship options, from the CAO website is a key development.
This initiative comes from the collaboration of a working group comprising representatives of SOLAS, the CAO, ETBI and the ETBs. Within the FET sector, a central portal has been developed to enable learners to apply for their chosen courses, which have been updated in terms of course naming conventions and learner requirements. This is being managed through FETCH / PLSS (which is a central application system for FET courses delivered through Education and Training Boards throughout the country).? Technical experts from SOLAS and the CAO are working together to ensure that technology developed for FET in the short-term aligns with CAO systems to enable integration over time.
The further development and expansion of the CAO FET offers to include wider options will build on the experience of the 2022 application process.
For apprenticeship options, students must first be hired by an approved apprentice employer. There is a link to a dedicated page on the apprenticeship website which provides information on how to find an apprenticeship and links to available apprenticeship employment opportunities. There is also a freephone number available - 1800 794 487 for guidance on apprenticeships which is open 12pm-6pm Monday-Friday.
It is my understanding that the NCCA’s Advisory Report on Senior Cycle Reform has been submitted to the Department of Education for consideration and is due to be published in the coming weeks. I will consider any impact the proposals in this report may have on educational pathways and the transition to further and higher education.