The Post Leaving Cert (PLC) sector has progressed in many ways since the qualification first appeared on the Irish educational landscape 15 years ago.

PLCs are no longer considered as the option to fall back on when things don't go as well as you'd hoped with points for CAO. Instead they are seen as valuable vocationally based qualifications in their own right.

Most PLC's are full-time one-year courses which lead to a qualification awarded by the National Council for Vocational Awards (NCVA).

There is an ever expanding choice of courses and locations where you can undertake these courses, which act as excellent bridges between school and employment or further education.

As PLC courses have all been developed over the past 15 years they are often much more current in the kind of vocationally aimed training they offer than some of the more traditional university courses. Students can find a PLC course which seems tailor-made for his or her particular requirements in the balance between theoretical and practical work.

Applications for PLC courses go to each college individually. The Higher Options conference gives you a terrific chance to see what kind of courses are on offer. As the name suggests PLC courses require applicants to have undertaken education to Leaving Cert standard or equivalent although there is no points rating.

Most applications will need an interview and this helps both the college and the individual to discover if a course suits them.

At this year's conference, PLC college representatives will be attending from Co Cavan, Cork city, Co Dublin and City of Dublin VECs, Co Galway, Co Louth, Co Monaghan, Co Tipperary and Co Wicklow. You can have a chat with staff and investigate the possibilities.

Lots of students are now opting for the PLC route and popular courses can fill up very quickly. Some students, who find a PLC course to suit them, find they can concentrate more easily for the Leaving Cert when they have secured a course. With the pressure of aiming for specific points lifted, some find study more rewarding.

Tuition fees are not applicable for PLC courses. However there is a charge of £25 to register for certification with the NCVA. If you need to register with other professional bodies this may cost extra, so you should inquire about this at your selection interview.

Other costs will include books, uniforms or protective clothing and equipment (for instance chef's uniforms and knives) and exam fees. PLC students can apply for means tested maintenance grants similar to third-level students.

The diversity of courses on offer through the PLC system is impressive. Their main aim is to prepare students for direct access to employment, hence the vocational nature of subjects. The recent refurbishment of the Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin may inspire you to consider horticulture or, if the recent furore surrounding Big Brother had you enthralled, maybe a course in public relations or media studies would steer you in the direction you wish to go.

Work experience is generally an integral part of most PLC courses. This is very useful in making contacts for future employment.

At present just over one in five do not complete their PLC course. Quite often this is because they are offered a job during work experience and decide to take it. Most colleges accept that this is going to happen but advise students to fionish their course and gain a qualification.

FOR students who want to go on to third-level study but, who missed out at the first attempt, PLCs can offer a means to gaining access through the Higher Education Links Scheme. Under this scheme over 2,000 places were reserved this year for access to selected courses in ITs.

These were available for students with NCVA level 2 qualifications from the PLC colleges. Once in the third-level tier, students can work their way up through to a diploma or degree. You should contact the NCVA to get a copy of its Guide to the Higher Education Links Scheme - phone (01) 8372211.

With more than 1,000 courses to choose from in over 200 centres, there is sure to be something to stir the interest of most in the PLC sector, with choice ranging from tourism and travel to animation and media design, from motor technology and engineering to interior design and floristry.

Take time to look at the PLC stand at Higher Options or talk to your guidance counsellor about the route best suited to you.