College Choice/Brian Mooney:The majority of Leaving Certificate students will progress on to a range of further and higher education programmes.
For many thousands of others, none of these options applies, and today, in my final column of this series, I will cover the options available to that particular group of students.
Feeding the Construction Boom
Given the enormous deficit in our national infrastructure which existed until very recently, it is not surprising that the Irish economy seems currently to have an insatiable appetite for crafts persons of all types and varieties. A recently-published report showed that, of the 28,000 males in the 18-year-old age group, 8,000 were registered as apprentices with Fás. There are, sadly, almost no females in apprenticeships.
Fás apprenticeships:
To help you achieve the necessary standards, the apprenticeship comprises phases of on-the-job training with your employer and off-the-job training, normally in Fás training centres or educational bodies.
During the four years of the apprenticeship you will receive an apprentice wage for your on-the-job phases from your employer, and while off-the-job you will receive a training allowance, if appropriate.
On successful completion of the apprenticeship, you will receive a National Craft Certificate, recognised in Ireland as well as in other EU and non-EU countries.
How do you become an apprentice?
Register your interest in your trade of choice at your local Fás office so that your name can be placed on a list of those interested in apprenticeship (such lists are made available, on request, to employers who are seeking apprentices).
Before taking up employment as an apprentice you should satisfy yourself that the employer recognises the responsibility to register you as an apprentice with Fás.
Make sure that he/she will undertake the training and assessments - which involve on-the-job assessments - and release you to attend mandatory off-the-job training and provide you with adequate conditions and rates of pay.
Your employer must register you with Fás as an apprentice within two weeks of the start of your apprenticeship.
During your apprenticeship you will be required to follow a specific course of training and to undergo a series of assessments to confirm that you have reached the required standards.
Apprenticeship consists of seven phases of training both on the job with your employer and off the job in a Fás training centre or educational college . Details on www.fas.ie
Garda College
The Garda Training College offers applicants a two-year competency-based programme consisting of five separate but integrated phases which are conducted both at the Garda Síochána College and at designated Garda training stations throughout the country.
Students are attached to An Garda Síochána on successful completion of 58 weeks of professional development, and thereafter they become probationer gardaí and remain on probation for two years.
The programme is validated by Hetac and students who successfully complete all components of the two-year programme graduate from the Garda College with a National Diploma in Police Studies.
If you are interested in a career in the Garda Síochána you can attend the open days at the Garda College. These take place this year on May 24th and on September 20th. Details on www.garda.ie
Defence Forces
The Defence Forces are currently seeking applications from those interested in applying for cadetships. The closing date for applications is February 16th. Details of all career opportunities in the Defence Forces and downloadable application forms can be found at www.military.ie
Public Service Opportunities
The general entry grade for school-leavers is that of clerical officer, which has a starting salary of about €22,000 per year. Job opportunities are also available in more than 100 local authorities in Ireland.
The HSE is the largest public service employer in Ireland, employing approximately 100,000 people in more than 1,000 locations.
Across the service there are over 500 different roles. Details of all public service employment opportunities can be found on www.publicjobs.ie
Financial Services
Most of the companies in the investment funds industry have employment opportunities for school-leavers while actively encouraging and supporting further studies.
If you have an aptitude for business, finance, accounting and client relations and the ability to work in a fast-moving environment you should consider the funds industry as a potential career opportunity. Details of opportunities available can be found at www.dfia.ie