My daughter struggles with school but loves fixing things. Would an apprenticeship suit her?
CAO points are not a requirement for the thriving engineering sector which provides excellent career opportunities
Further education and training
FET: a pathway to endless opportunities for students
Further education and training offers school-leavers a wide selection of career-focused choices
How to use your time at Higher Options
Higher Options offers students the opportunity to attend talks or talk directly with representatives of third level institutions
What can you do when there’s never been so much choice?
There have never been so many courses, so many options for college and life
Alternative pathways: more than 1,500 FET courses available for school-leavers
Further Education and Training courses are on offer across the country, providing alternative pathways to the traditional CAO route
Should I consider a traineeship?
This option can offer numerous benefits which can significantly affect your career development
Should I consider a Post Leaving Certificate course?
Full-time programmes for those who have finished second level and adults returning to education
Should I consider a Post Leaving Cert course?
Post-Leaving Cert courses provide job-specific training that allows students to progress into the workforce, or provide a stepping stone to higher education
EU citizens are entitled to study at any EU university under the same conditions as nationals
Entry requirements in many European universities are generally lower compared to Irish universities
‘I chose Warsaw based on its large Irish student population’
Studying overseas: Gregory Hendricken Phelan (23) from the Carlow-Wicklow border is in his final year at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences
‘It feels like a rebirth’: A visually impaired student’s journey of inspiration
Sculpture course at Cork College of Further Education giving blind and partially sighted learners a chance to defy conventional limitations
Thinking outside the box: Unusual and unconventional college courses on offer
Being open to different ideas and approaches can lead to a more dynamic and rewarding career journey
‘Early on, I knew that college was not for me’: The different routes to your career
‘I do get asked: do you feel that you missed out on the college experience? The answer: absolutely not,’ says one apprentice
Is a college degree worth it any more?
No degree? No problem. Growing numbers of companies are looking beyond third-level qualification as a recruitment requirement
Q&A: I narrowly missed out on my first-choice CAO course. Is there another route to university?
There are still options to secure the course of your dreams – even if you didn’t get an offer
Getting to college: ‘Further education was my stepping stone, but I didn’t expect how much I would enjoy it’
Jacob Haskins didn’t have enough points to secure his first CAO choice so he took an alternative route to UCD
Accepting a CAO place is now just one option of many, from further education to studying abroad
From PLCs to apprenticeships and private colleges, there have never been so many choices for school-leavers seeking a career path
CAO 2023: Points down for 60% of courses including medicine and nursing
CAO offers: Estimated 80 per cent of college applicants will likely secure one of their top-three course preferences
What steps to take if you didn’t get your CAO course of choice
Here are alternatives to explore when college offers disappoint - because the CAO is no longer the only game in town
Further education: Everything you need to know about traineeships
Q&A: How does a traineeship work and am I eligible to apply?
Q&A: How do I know if a further education and training course is the right choice for me?
Attitudes to further education have changed in recent years, and today’s students have more options than ever before
Everything you need to know about apprenticeships
Q&A: What areas are apprenticeships available in and would it be a right fit for me?
Further education resources: a glossary
New opportunities in a range of industries, supports for students with disadvantaged backgrounds and back to education allowances
‘Gamechanger’ programme allows students to attain third-level degree outside CAO points race
Focus shifting from CAO points race and the pressure it puts on students to alternative routes to third-level education
Unlocking the door to career advancement
Continuous education and training essential for lifelong success in rapidly evolving society
Workforce prepares for rapid technological advancements
AI is just one of many factors that will shape our workplaces in the coming years
How AI and the green economy are impacting career opportunities
Hiring for green jobs in Ireland has already doubled since 2016, while some 97m jobs involving AI are expected to be created worldwide by 2025
Online learning for career advancement ‘crucial for Ireland’s workforce’
Online learning accommodates different learning styles and offers flexibility to students who can learn at their own pace.
I retired recently. What education or training options are there for people of my age?
There are a multitude of course and online education resources available for people of all ages
Attending an open day? Do your homework first
Open days let you gauge how good a fit your course and college choice will be
CAO countdown: The dos and don’ts of supporting your child’s course choices
Third-level education is not the only route and having an open mind is key
How to select the right college for you
Consider many factors, including course content, college location and student life
Parental guidance: Should you be involved in open days?
Here is what to consider before deciding whether to go along when colleges throw open their doors to prospective students
How guidance counsellors can help you find and prepare for a career
Preparation can help you get the most out of your session with a guidance counsellor
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