Most applications to the CAO are from school-leavers, but there are also about 2,000 third-level places reserved for people with Post Leaving Certificate qualifications.
These first-year places are on certificate and diploma courses in the institutes of technology. They are open to students who have successfully completed NCVA (National Council for Vocational Awards) level 2 courses.
If you hold an NCVA level 2 qualification, you will still have to compete for a third-level place, but only with other PLC students.
The final report of the Commission on the Points System notes that in 1998 more than 3,100 candidates applied for these places and almost 1,400 accepted places.
The majority of these students were accepted on courses to which entry was quite competitive. Five per cent of applicants were accepted on courses with a points level of 400 or over, with 44 per cent on courses with entry points between 300 and 399.
The link between the Post Leaving Certificate sector and the third-level sector is particularly important to students who have opted for the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme. Some 8,000 students are currently pursuing the two-year programme in 244 schools. These cannot apply directly for third level.
About 20,000 first-year places are on offer in PLC colleges and many, but not all, of the courses are linked with third-level programmes. If you are applying for a PLC course with third-level in mind, you must check that the particular PLC you are interested in is linked with a third-level course.
The NCVA publishes a guide to higher education links each year. Your guidance counsellor should have a copy of this. Some college prospectuses also list linked courses.
Particular PLC course modules may also be specified as a requirement. So, for instance, if you are interested in doing a national certificate in business (languages and business German) in Tralee IT (course code TL270), then you should turn to page 60 of the NCVA Guide to The Higher Education Links Scheme 2000.
You will see TL270 listed on the left-hand side. There are two linked PLCs listed in the right-hand column - BBSBS Business studies (bilingual secretarial) and ELESX Language and European studies. You can take either of these PLC courses and then apply for a reserved place on TL270. But you will also notice three asterisks beside each of the PLC courses listed. These mean the module €20107 German is required.
You must check with the PLC college that this module will be included.
NCVA students apply for reserved places by completing the CAO form in the normal way, and their results are forwarded directly to the CAO. To qualify for an NCVA level 2 award, students must reach the required standard in eight course modules. You must achieve a full certificate to be considered for admission to third level.
Places are then awarded on the basis of students' performance - three points for a distinction (80 per cent or higher), two for merit (65 per cent or higher) and one for a pass (50 per cent). The institutes rank students on their cumulative score.
In the past, the DIT required NCVA applicants to achieve the minimum educational requirements in their Leaving Cert. This is no longer the case. All of the institutes now award the reserved places solely on the basis of NCVA level 2 results.
PLC qualifications are valid in their own right, and will prepare you directly for the jobs market. There are no tuition fees and eligible students may apply for maintenance grants.
How to apply
There is no central applications body for PLC courses so you must apply directly to the college. You must be of Leaving Cert standard. Places are not allocated on the basis of points. Most colleges will interview students to determine their suitability.
Almost all PLC courses are open to Leaving Cert Applied students, with the exception of a small number of courses approved by professional bodies. Although there are no tuition fees there may be some small costs involved - books, uniforms/clothing and equipment (for instance, chef's uniforms and knives), student services, and registration charges by professional bodies.
You may also have to pay a deposit of up to £30 to secure a place. This will be refunded on enrolment or it may be held as a down-payment on the items already mentioned.
The principal aim of PLC courses is to prepare students for work. A survey of 1996-97 graduates shows that 64 per cent of those who completed a PLC course gained employment (16 per cent part-time and 48 per cent full-time), while 24 per cent went on to third-level education and 12 per cent to further training or education.
PLC courses are of one or two years' duration and delivered by more than 200 schools and colleges, mostly by vocational colleges. In all, there are more than 1,000 courses to choose from in over 60 disciplines.
All PLC programmes follow an agreed format: general education (core skills needed for employment - literacy, numeracy, communications, new technology, decision making); technical knowledge (skills needed for particular occupations) and work experience.
Courses include business and secretarial skills, multi-media production, childcare, sport and leisure, tourism, horticulture and teleservices.
Many of the courses are not available in the third-level sector. One unusual option is a three-year full-time horology course in the Irish Swiss Institute of Horology in Blanchardstown, Dublin. If the intricacies of watch repair appeal to you, then you may be pleased to find that there is a huge demand worldwide for skilled watchmakers.
Meanwhile, the booming economy has made it increasingly difficult for the college to fill the 11 first-year places.
Minimum educational requirements are five passes in the Leaving Cert, including maths and one science subject. There is an interview, and college director Mr Brendan O'Brien says: "We are looking for people with an interest in mechanics. If they have done mechanical or technical drawing at school, it would be an advantage. And they should have good patience and aspire to the highest standards."
The fees for the course are £150 per annum and successful applicants may be eligible for VEC scholarships covering course fee and/or maintenance grants.
Many of the bigger PLC colleges specialise in particular areas, so you should look beyond your local provider.
And PLCs are not just for school leavers. About one quarter of the 24,000 PLC students are over 21 years.
Posting the CAO form
Each year, about 6,000 forms are returned to CAO applicants as they contain mistakes. Check and recheck the details on your form before you post it. There is a charge of £5.50 for every returned form.
It is a good idea to take a photocopy of the form before you send it off. It does not have to be the final document - you may want to refine your choices further. The CAO's change-of-mind date is July 1st.
The last posting date for forms to reach the CAO by the closing date of February 1st is next Monday. The standard fee is £18.90 or €24 This early embracing of the euro, and the consequent awkwardness of the amount in pounds, has confused some applicants who rang the helpline, having sent off the wrong amount.
Do not forget to get the certificate of posting stamped. This is your proof that you have sent it off.
Remember it is also possible to apply online through www.scoilnet.ie
The late closing date for the CAO is May 1st. The application fee doubles and you may not include any restricted-application courses. The first and final closing date for these courses is February 1st.
New Athlone course
Athlone IT is offering a new three-year ab-initio humanities diploma in business administration and languages. Application is not via the CAO. If you are interested you should write to the Admissions Office, Athlone IT, Dublin Road, Athlone.
End of the helpline
Today is the last day College Choice will offer a helpline service. The final column will appear on Monday, which is the last posting date for the CAO form.