IN MANY ways students are spoiled for choice this year; there have been more degree and certificate/diploma course places than ever before, people have received offers on lower points in many courses and there are still some vacancies in the RTC "sector; and that is before the thousands of places on PLC courses are taken into account.
In addition to the 32,000-plus places in the CAO/CAS colleges, there are up to 18,000 places available in the PLC - Post Leaving Certificate - sector according to the Department of Education. With the fall in Leaving Cert numbers and the increase in take-up of CAO/CAS places, these are unlikely to all be filled but possibly up to 15,000 students will find their further education needs satisfied by PLC colleges.
Most PLC colleges have been assessing applicants since May and some of the more popular courses have long since filled; others are still taking applications and will continue to do so for several weeks. When the second round of CAO places comes out on Tuesday, this will concentrate most students' minds and produce a big rush for PLC places. From next week the focus, for many students, will shift from the CAO/CAS to the PLC sector.
One of the developments 55 that a number of students in Dublin are by-passing RTC certificate courses in favour of some of the better-known PLC colleges in Dublin such as Ballyfermot Senior College, Colaiste Dhulaigh and other VEC colleges. This is an indication of the level of confidence they have in the PLC colleges, but also of the inhibiting effect of the cost of travelling outside of Dublin to find an RTC place.
WHAT ARE PLCS?
Parents and students are often confused as to exactly what PLC courses are - it's not surprising as they vary from modest one-year secretarial/computing Courses to three-year advanced diplomas and courses which allow the student to advance to degrees. Callers to Points Race regularly inquire in what way a two-year certificate or three-year diploma course in a PLC college differs from a two-year certificate in an RTC.
Officially, RTCs are fully-fledged third-level colleges, while PLC colleges are part of what is known in the Northern Irish and British system as further education.
The PLCs effectively grew out of existing VEC schools and colleges and, in the case of the bigger ones developed into sprawling campuses more or less in response to growing demand from students. Only in the past two years has the State got into the business of setting standards and validating the courses.
The National Council for Vocational Awards (NCVA) was set up to do this. It has now assessed all the one-year PLC courses and most of these now lead to an NVC Level 2, that is a National Vocational Certificate from the NCVA. However, it has not yet got around to assessing the two and three-year courses. Many of those, therefore, lead to the British BTEC awards or British Higher National Diplomas (HNDs). In Britain HNDs are the equivalent of RTC certificate courses in our system and HND courses are often available in universities as well as colleges of further education. But here in Ireland PLC colleges are not allowed to apply for university or RTC-type validation.
But this does not appear to bother students applying for these courses; and obviously the qualifications which the colleges provide are leading to good career and job opportunities. An increasing number of the bigger PLC colleges have come to arrangements with UK universities to accept their students onto degree courses and some provide the initial years of UK degree courses themselves.
If this all sounds confusing, it is because it is indeed a confused situation but the courses themselves are thriving.
PLC VACANCIES
The following is the situation in relation to vacancies in some of the PLC colleges:
Senior College Dun Laoghaire (01-280 0385) Vacancies exist on the following courses: accounting (CPA); accounting technician (IATI); business studies; marketing (MII); computer applications (City and Guilds); office/reception studies.
They will also take applications for vacancies which may arise after CAO Round Two on the following courses (currently full): auctioneering (IPAV) beauty therapy (CIDESCO); computer programming (City and Guilds); interior design (RHODEC); post-graduate computing (ICM).
Crumlin College of Business and Technical Studies (01-454 2566/454 0662) still has a limited number of places on all courses, however, computer programming and beauty therapy are filling up fast. The college is open from 10a.m. to 4p.m. each day and prospective students can call in and fill out an application form.
Interviews are being conducted on an ongoing basis, so contact the college as soon as possible if you're interested.
Courses include: computing, business, marketing, accounting technician, various secretarial/ tourism/reception courses, small business management, floristry hairdressing, beauty therapy and sports therapy.
Colaiste Dhulaigh (01-847 4399/847 4253) has a limited number of vacancies on all PLCs. Call in or write for an application form. Interviews for late places begin from Monday and continue during the week.
Ballyfermot Senior College (01-626 9421) has already sent out first-round offers. The closing date for applications for most courses was April 26th and interviews were conducted in May.
However, there may be some vacancies - though the number is likely to be small - due to CAO/CAS take-up and interested students should contact the college for application forms. Further interviews will be held in early September.
Points Race has already mentioned the new two-year certificate in teleservices/languages which the college is offering through French and through German; application can still be made for this course.
Inchicore Vocational School (01-453 5358/453 3330). This is a popular college and two courses are already full: leisure/recreation and tourism. However, there is a limited number on all other courses. Phone or call for an application form. Interviews start Tuesday next.
Courses include computer studies; computer applications; sport and recreation; sport and leisure management; sports coaching; accounting/accounting technician, nursery nursing; theatre studies; stage management; theatre-dance; French/ German laboratory techniques; antiques/ restoration; childcare; law/administration (leading to degree).
Community College, Dun Laoghaire: Anyone who wishes to attend an interview for a place should contact the college by phone.
Cork College of Commerce: interviews are held in the first week in September. Students may apply right up to the date and they can also walk in for interview.
Ger O'Dwyer says the college is the first college in the south of Ireland to offer a teleservices PLC. The one-year receptionist/ telemarketing course is aimed at those wishing to make a career in teleservices and telesales. Applicants should have a Leaving Cert including a foreign language.
Drogheda College of Further Education: Still accepting applications for all courses. Interviews will be held on Monday.
ROUND TWO OFFERS
Carlow RTC has kindly informed us what they are offering in round two; few places, with offers in only the following four courses:
CW001 Applied Physiology and Health Science - all remaining on 400 points are being made an offer.
CWO11 Business Studies - small number of offers on 165 points.
CW009 Architectural Graphics - those remaining on 235 points are being offered.
CW012 Office Information Systems - small number of offers on 165 points.
There is no change in points in any of their other courses and no other offers other than tidying up.