Third-level education has become the aspiration of the vast majority of school leavers. Our success in increasing the number going to college has been striking. Ireland now has the second highest proportion of young people in Europe with a third-level degree. More than 40 per cent of under-35s here have a degree, compared to an average of about 29 per cent in the rest of the EU.
There is little doubt the provision of skilled graduates has formed a vital part of our economic growth. But there is a danger that we have become too focused on CAO points and on college as the only measure of success for students leaving school. Latest projected figures indicate a record number of applicants will apply for a third-level course this year.
Official figures, however, show a significant number are either not suited to college or are making the wrong career choices. One in six students is failing to progress on to the second year of their course. The problem is most acute among low-points courses among some institutes of technology, with dropout rates of 30 per cent plus in computing, construction and engineering.
In reality, third level is just one of a number of routes into a skilled or well-paid job. The further education and training sector offers a wealth of opportunities, many of which can involve progression on to higher education. Despite this, the latter is saddled with a stubborn image problem.
Many students and, more importantly, parents tend to associate the sector with low achievement or last-gasp options. Yet Germany and many other European countries have long acknowledged the reality that students' aptitudes and skills are highly varied. Those who come through their high-quality apprenticeship systems have well-paid jobs and high social standing compared to those who follow a more academic route.
This is why plans for a major overhaul of State-sponsored apprenticeships are crucially important. They will provide an opportunity to give school leavers a positive alternative path to third-level education, as well as better meeting the needs of industry. Some 25 new apprenticeships will be available next year, including in areas such as software development and polymer processing – alongside more familiar ones for bakers, chefs and welders. Sustaining a world-class apprenticeship system will be crucial to enhancing the status of these roles.
Encouraging ever-increasing numbers to attend third level makes economic sense. But there is a danger that our fixation on college degrees means those who go down a less academic route are seen as failures. This should never be the case. Rehabilitating the image of further education, as well as offering students solid career advice, is vital. A strong apprenticeship system would maximise the potential of many young school leavers.