More and more students are now going on to pursue specific courses through the PLC colleges. The option also eases Leaving Cert worries. Janet Stafford reports
It is now 2002, the year that you are going to sit your Leaving Cert exam. You may find it a daunting thought and now that pressure is coupled with the need to fill out forms to decide what you're going to do for the rest of your life. You probably think you may as well just collapse in a heap right now.
Don't fret. These are important decisions, but, with a little consideration, you can set yourself on the right track for planning the future you want. This is when you may begin to consider how a Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) course could be the answer for you.
More than 25,000 students plumped for the PLC option last year. This follows the trend of ever-increasing numbers of students being drawn to these courses year upon year.
There is an immense wealth of choices for students considering PLC courses, with over 240 colleges around the State offering different options. You may never have thought of the PLC sector before, but it is an area well worth a look. Choices range from horticulture and garden design to office administration and IT, from international event management to childcare.
The PLC area of study first became available in 1985 and since then has become an increasingly important part of post-second-level education. PLCs are sometimes described as "two-and-a-half level" courses, because they can help students bridge a gap between school and a full-time third-level degree course or school and full-time employment.
The higher education Links scheme is the special relationship which institutes of technology have with PLC colleges to enable students to progress to third level.
The Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) is the governing body that awards qualifications to PLC students. There are more than 2,000 places reserved at IT's for successful PLC students who gain the necessary FETAC-approved qualifications and who wish to carry on with further study.
Depending on which course you choose, PLCs can be from one-year to three-years duration. The courses have a strong vocational emphasis, which means that practical work will probably be part and parcel of the course, along with the more academic side. This, added to the fact that the vast majority of PLC courses require you to do a period of work placement as part of the training, means that PLC graduates are extremely popular with employers. In fact PLCs have become a victim of their own success to some extent in that students will sometimes leave their course before qualifying, tempted by attractive employment packages from firms where they have done well in placement.
As the name suggests, you need to sit your Leaving Cert to qualify for a PLC place, however, unlike CAO courses, there are no points ratings for courses and no central application body. You should contact individual colleges directly and they will be able to provide you with a prospectus or tell you what courses are on offer and how to go about applying for them. Admission is usually determined by an interview.
Some students who have chosen the PLC route in previous years tell how it really helps lift the pressure of the Leaving Cert.
As a Leaving Cert pass secures places (unless there are special requirements), students see it as something they can definitely attain.
In fact some students have reported they can study a lot more effectively and perform better in exams when they have the reassurance of a carefully considered PLC lined up to alleviate the panicked frenzy of getting enough points.
This does not mean that the PLC option is not any less less valid than other third-level courses.
PLC courses provide invaluable vocational training, work-experience opportunities and the academic aspect. Besides which, if you find that a third-level degree is what you ultimately want, the option is there.
How much is it all going to cost? There are no tuition fees for PLC courses, although there is a small charge to register for certification from FETAC. Depending on which course you choose, you may need to pay a fee for registering with other professional bodies. Students who are eligible can apply to receive a maintenance grant.
In effect the PLC college experience is now very similar to third level. Students are willing to travel to colleges, or live in shared student accommodation nearby, in order to go to a college that has built up a reputation for excellence in certain areas such as art foundation, music management or business courses. In these cases, competition for places can be tough.
So, while considering the many choices open to you at this time, have a look through the listings of colleges offering PLC courses, look at the areas that interest you and contact them to gather as much information as you can to make a well-thought-out decision.
You can contact FETAC via its website to gain more information on its awards and on the Higher Education Links Scheme at www.fetac.ie
