Sir, - Students of Cork Regional Technical College, and almost the entire non-university sector, are discriminated against in this year's Student Summer Job Scheme. If you have completed a National Certificate course and are entering a National Diploma course, or if you are going from a diploma into a degree, you are ineligible to participate in the scheme. Yet this route is the norm in the non-university sector.
Students refused entry to the scheme can claim unemployment assistance. However participation offers students the opportunity to gain valuable work experience, as well as participating in the development of their communities. In a survey conducted by USI in autumn 1995 on all third-level colleges, it was found that 74 per cent of respondents found participation in the scheme a useful experience and 92 per cent said they would participate again if given the opportunity. The decision not to allow our students to participate has shut the door on that opportunity.
It is a ridiculous situation that students doing a degree course in university can participate in the scheme, yet a Cork RTC student going from a certificate into a diploma, or a diploma into a degree, cannot take part. It is not too late for Minister De Rossa to mention this decision and make this scheme open to all in third level. - Yours, etc.,
Vice-president,
Students' Union,
Cork Regional Technical
College,
Rossa Avenue,
Bishopstown, Cork.