Post Leaving Cert
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What is a PLC course?
PLC courses are usually one year courses which offer a mixture of practical work, academic work and work experience.
They are designed as a step towards skilled employment and, as such, they are closely linked to industry and its needs or some students use points acquired from PLC courses as an entry to college.
PLC courses are modular based and students performance and certification are assessed on a continuous basis as opposed to one final exam at the end of the course
Research conducted by third level Institute of Technologies has shown that students who have previously completed a Post Leaving Certificate course prior to commencement of college have higher retention levels.
Who is the course suited for?
Leaving Certificate graduates taking a year out before college.
Learners wishing to gain an IT qualification to assist with employment.
Alternative option to repeating the Leaving Certificate – opportunity to progress to third level colleges including NUIG with PLC qualifications for those who may not have Irish or a foreign language.
Social welfare recipients – Those in receipt of Job Seekers payment for 3 months continue their social welfare payments under BTEA scheme
What modules are covered on the PLC course?
The modules which are covered on the PLC course are very practical in nature with a strong emphasis on developing IT Skills:
Learners are required to complete a minimum of 8 from the following selection:
Wordprocessing (Word)
Database (Access)
Professional Presentations (Powerpoint)
Bookkeeping Manual and Computerised – SAGE Accounts
Payroll – Sage
Spreadsheets – Excel
Communications
Work Experience
Business Administration
Desktop Publishing (Publisher)
The benefits of doing our full-time course include:
All notes, assignments and class material available to learners online through Moodle, this has facilitated more flexible learning as students can read through material/quizzes/videos in their own time again if they wish.
We also use Class Notebook which enables learners/examiners view the assignments they have submitted and get feedback which they can view online in their own private space.
Learners will become very competent in using Office 365 suite – saving to One Drive, using Sharepoint, Teams, Outlook etc
Opportunity for learners to obtain 2 weeks work experience abroad, under Erasmus programme (this year’s successful learners’ flights, accommodation and spending money are covered whilst gaining vocational work experience in Malaga after Easter.
Alternative entry route to a range of University Courses using Higher Education Links Scheme (we have a learner this year pursuing Commerce in NUIG who did not have Irish or a foreign language).
Centre is a dedicated spacious adult learning setting in Drumshanbo Enterprise Centre, Hilly Rd.
Workplace IT Skills: Learners obviously acquire skills and QQI qualifications in Wordprocessing, Spreadsheets, Database, Powerpoint, Publisher, as well as SAGE accounts and payroll which should enable them get an Administration position locally if they wish.
How do I apply?
Applicants can apply online through either
the website www.FETCHcourses.ie search for PLC Drumshanbo
by clicking on the following link: PLC Business IT course Drumshanbo .
An applicant who applies through the website fetchcourses.ie, will get confirmation within one week of their application and an interview time will arranged with them by email/text.
Not able to apply online – not a problem!
If your aren’t familiar with FETCH courses or don’t feel confident in applying online interested applicants can email [email protected], leaving their contact details and I will arrange to meet and explain about the course. Alternatively they can ring the school on (071) 9641085 to arrange an appointment.
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The Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) is an intervention designed to enhance the vocational dimension of the Leaving Certificate (established). The programme was introduced in 1994 in response to the challenge placed on Ireland’s education system by a changing work and business environment. The LCVP combines the academic strengths of the Leaving Certificate (established) with a new and dynamic focus on self–directed learning, innovation and enterprise. This two-year programme is part of an expanded provision that aims to cater for the diversity of participants’ needs at senior cycle.
The primary goal of the LCVP is to prepare young people for adult life by ensuring that they are educated in the broadest sense, with an ability to cope and thrive in an environment of rapid change. Participants in the programme are encouraged to develop skills and competencies fundamental to both academic and vocational success.
Throughout the programme students are encouraged to:
Be innovative and enterprising
Take responsibility for their own learning
Adapt to changing circumstances
Evaluate data and devise solutions to problems
Communicate their thoughts and ideas effectively
Work with others as part of a team
Investigate and plan career options
Use information and communications technologies
Investigate local businesses and community enterprises
Learn from their experiences
These skills and qualities are equally relevant to the needs of those preparing for further education, seeking employment or planning to start their own business.
The strong vocational focus of the LCVP is achieved by arranging Leaving Certificate subjects into Vocational Subject Groupings (VSGs) and through the provision of additional courses of study in work preparation and enterprise known as the Link Modules.
Programme Requirements for students:
At least five Leaving Certificate subjects, one of which must be Irish plus the Link Modules
Two of the above subjects must be selected from one of the designated Vocational Subject Groupings
Two Link Modules: Preparation for the World of Work and Enterprise Education
A recognised course in a Modern European Language other than Irish or English:
What is a recognised Modern European language course for LCVP students?
The school has the discretion in this case – there are various options open to students.
They can take a language at Junior Certificate level or they can follow one of the FETAC language modules or the language teacher can devise a school programme in the language.
Students must take the language class for a minimum of one class period per week or equivalent over the two years of the programme within school time.
If a student is exempt from Irish for the Leaving Certificate they are automatically exempt for the LCVP and students should replace Irish with another subject.
Programme Requirements for students:
At least five Leaving Certificate subjects, one of which must be Irish plus the Link Modules
Two of the above subjects must be selected from one of the designated Vocational Subject Groupings
Two Link Modules: Preparation for the World of Work and Enterprise Education
A recognised course in a Modern European Language other than Irish or English:
What is a recognised Modern European language course for LCVP students?
The school has the discretion in this case – there are various options open to students.
They can take a language at Junior Certificate level or they can follow one of the FETAC language modules or the language teacher can devise a school programme in the language.
Students must take the language class for a minimum of one class period per week or equivalent over the two years of the programme within school time.
If a student is exempt from Irish for the Leaving Certificate they are automatically exempt for the LCVP and students should replace Irish with another subject.
Two subjects are selected from one of the Vocational Subject Groupings. These subjects provide students with a focus for developing vocational skills and exploring their career options.
The Specialist Groupings consist of subjects which complement one another naturally. The Services Groupings comprise subjects which complement one another in a commercial context.
Specialist Groupings
1 Construction Studies; Engineering; Design and Communication Graphics; Technology – Any Two
2 Physics and Construction Studies or Engineering or Technology or Design & Communication Graphics
3 Agricultural Science and Construction Studies or Engineering or Technology or Design & Communication Graphics
4 Agricultural Science and Chemistry or Physics or Physics/Chemistry
5 Home Economics; Agricultural Science; Biology – Any Two
6 Home Economics and Art – Design Option or Craft Option
7 Accounting; Business; Economics – Any two
8 Physics and Chemistry
9 Biology and Chemistry or Physics or Physics/Chemistry
10 Biology and Agricultural Science
11 Art – Design Option or Craft Option and Design & Communication Graphics
Services Groupings
12 Engineering or Technology or Construction Studies or Design & Communication Graphics and Accounting or Business orEconomics
13 Home Economics and Accounting or Business or Economics
14 Agricultural Science and Accounting or Business or Economics
15 Art Design or Craftwork Option and Accounting or Business or Economics
16 Music and Accounting or Business or Economics
Students taking the Leaving Certificate Examination will follow two Link Modules over the course of the two years.
Link Module I – Preparation for the World of Work
Students will research and investigate local employment opportunities, develop job seeking skills such as letter writing, CV presentation, interview techniques; gain valuable practical experience of the world of work; interview and work shadow a person in a career area that interests them
Link Module II – Enterprise Education
Students will be involved in organising visits to local business and community enterprises; meet and interview enterprising people on site and in the classroom; plan and undertake interesting activities that will build self–confidence, creativity, initiative and develop teamwork, communication and computer skills.
Typically, LCVP students take seven Leaving Certificate Subjects plus the Link Modules
Information and Communications Technology
Students taking the LCVP will have an opportunity to develop and apply their IT skills. Students should also have an opportunity to use audio-visual equipment and computer presentation packages for recording and presentation purposes. During the course of the programme students will develop skills to:
Enter, edit, store, retrieve and print information
Word process CVs, letters, reports and create illustrated documents
Send and receive e–mail messages
Access and use relevant information from CD Roms and the Internet
The use of active teaching and learning methodologies is encouraged across the LCVP curriculum. Experiences such as work placement, career investigation, mini–enterprise, business and community visits are an integral part of the programme. The Link Modules encourage students to apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired through their Vocational Subjects and in other areas of their Leaving Certificate. Vocational relevance is enhanced by putting in place opportunities for students to plan, organise and engage in active learning experiences inside and outside the classroom.
Conducting Investigations – businesses, community enterprises, agencies
Arranging Visits out of school to sites of interest in the context of conducting investigations
Inviting Visitors to the classroom -adults other than teachers as resource visitors
Working in Teams – on projects and investigations
Organising Enterprise Activities – setting up projects as vehicles of learning
Actively preparing for work – career investigation, job search, practice at interviews
Experiencing the world of work, work experience, work simulation, work shadowing
Making presentations to adults and peers
Using Information and Communications Technology – to access, store, communicate and present information
LCVP students follow the same subject syllabi and are assessed in the same way as their peers in the Leaving Certificate. For the Link Modules they are assessed by Written Examination (40%) and by Portfolio of Coursework (60%). The written examination takes place in May of the Leaving Certificate Year. The examination is of two and a half hours duration and consists of three sections which are outline below.
The structure of the Written Examination is as follows:
Section A Audio Visual Presentation
Section B Case Study (received in advance by students)
Section C General Questions (4 out of 6)
The Portfolio of Coursework accounts for 60% of total marks. Students assemble the portfolio over the two years of the programme and it is assessed at the end of the final year of the Leaving Certificate. The Portfolio and Written Examination are externally assessed by the Department of Education & Science.
CORE ITEMS
Curriculum Vitae
Career Investigation
Enterprise/Action Plan
Summary Report
OPTIONAL ITEMS (any two)
Diary of Work Experience
Enterprise Report
Recorded Interview/Presentation
Report on My Own Place
LCVP students receive the same certificate as other Leaving Certificate students but their Certificate includes an additional statement of the results of the Link Modules.
Grades for the Link Modules are as follows:
Grade
Per cent
Distinction
Merit
Pass
80% – 100%
65% – 79%
50% – 64%
The Link Modules are recognised for points purposes by the Institutes of Technology and the Universities. The points are allocated as follows:
Grade
Universities and Institutes of Technology Award
Distinction
Merit
Pass
70 points
50 points
30 points