Today it's onwards and upwards, sideways and cross-ways, up and over. There are ladders and links, fly-overs and all manner of valid and exciting academic acrobatics. No-one needs to back into an educational cul-de-sac. The days of arriving at a full-stop, never starting out on a new path of academic endeavour, are long gone.
There are ways of moving onwards, changing course, changing direction and gaining a further academic qualification. For example, there is a links system in place for those who have completed a NCVA Level 2 certificate and are ready to carry on to third-level.
This ladder/links system is being extended all the time. The move is towards widening access for all those who want to learn and progress.
Approximately 2,000 places are currently available on over 250 courses at college around the State through this scheme. The Higher Education Links Scheme allows students who have completed a NCVA certificate at Level 2 to apply for a place in a range of higher-education institutions.
Some 17 institutions are partners in this scheme. Applications are made using the standard CAO form. Each NCVA module is credited, with three points allocated for a distinction, two points for a merit and one point for a pass. All of the points are totalled and applicants are ranked according to this "total grande point" figure. Places are offered in ranked order until the quota is complete for each course.
The NCVA is working in partnership with a number of other statutory agencies, such as CERT, F┴S, Teagasc, IBEC, Coillte, Bord Iascaigh Mhara and ICTU. For example, a number of courses run by Teagasc, such as the courses in agriculture, forestry and horse breeding, which lead to NCVA certificates, are now part of the links scheme.
Progressing up the academic ladder in stages is also possible. The number of add-on degrees available in the institutes of technology increases each year. The usual structure is for students to do a two-year certificate, followed by a one-year diploma. Or you may begin your studies with a three-year ab-initio diploma and then progress to a degree - some add-on degrees are over one, rather than two, years. You must achieve certain grades in your exams, usually at merit or distinction level, to progress up this ladder of opportunity. Alternatively, if you pass your certificate, it may be possible to gain a year's relevant work experience and return to college later.
Also, in a fresh attempt to widen college access, six of the State's seven universities and the DIT have set up a separate third-level entry system for pupils from disadvantaged schools. About 700 places will be made available annually under the scheme. Described as a "mini-CAO", it will allow students from about 150 disadvantaged second-level schools to gain college places without necessarily having the required CAO points. The new system will involve eligible students applying through a centralised system which will be shared among the colleges.
Only pupils attending one of the 150 so-called "link" schools, which are classified by the colleges as disadvantaged, will be eligible. The classifications are based on Department of Education statistics.
Earlier this year, the Government agreed to fund 1,000 new third-level places for employees who want to acquire new skills. The places will be divided among 14 institutes of technology and employees will not be charged tuition fees.
These new courses are meant for employees in sectors such as electronics, construction, pharmaceuticals and e-business. Each course is expected to run over three years and employees will divide their week between college and the workplace. The courses will be sponsored by their employers, who have to make arrangements with their local IT. Those who complete the course will receive a certificate from the National Council for Education Awards or a certificate from the DIT.
There are very few obstacles preventing students progressing from certificate or diploma level on to degree level. There is a wide variety of one- and two-year add-on programmes for those who do well enough in their exams. It's now possible, and even advisable, to change discipline.
"Employers are looking for those personal, transferable skills like problem-solving and team-working and are not concerned with the exact details of your degree any more," Colm Tobin, UCD's career and appointments officer, said earlier this year.
The IT sector used to be the preserve of computer science students, but is now taking students from all kinds of disciplines. Many universities have conversion courses and there is no reason why a classics graduate or anthropologist cannot take one of these courses.
According to career advisers, language graduates should consider the localisation industry for instance, which involves translating software for international markets. Business students can also hitch themselves to the IT train, with e-commerce a particular option for them. Research shows that the arts and humanities graduates are in demand in the commercial world.
The institutes of technology have realised this and added extra disciplines to their engineering courses to make them more attractive. Tallaght IT has picked up on the scale of the semiconductor industry in Ireland and offers a certificate in engineering (micro-electronics and semiconductor manufacturing) which last year only required minimum points.
It's worth remembering that NCVA certification is recognised in Europe through Eurocert, a certification structure that promotes mobility through transparency of certificates on the continent. There is no end to the possibilities.
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