The PLC sector continues to expand, enticing more students to its fold each year. Today there are more than 1,000 courses to choose from. The number of students opting to pursue this route is now at 22,000 in first year alone.
With more than 1,000 courses in over 200 centres, there is something for everyone from tourism to ceramics, interior design to floristry, from motor technology to equine studies. It's just a matter of finding out what is available and where and applying.
The Post Leaving Cert sector was primarily designed to prepare students for the workplace. However, many courses can provide a stepping stone to third-level education in this State, Britain or Northern Ireland. Under the Higher Education Links Scheme, 2,000 places were reserved in this academic year for access to selected courses in ITs. These were available for students with NCVA level 2 qualifications from the PLC colleges, awarded by the National Council for Vocational Awards. Once in the third-level tier, students can work their way up through to a diploma or a degree.
There are no tuition fees in the PLC system and eligible students are entitled to maintenance grants. There is no central registration centre however. Applications for PLC courses go to each college individually. PLC courses require students to have attained Leaving Cert standard or its equivalent. There is no points rating. Students who are doing the Leaving Certificate Applied programme are eligible to apply to all PLCs. Most applicants are asked to attend an interview, which allows the college and the individual to discover if the course is suitable or not.
The most popular PLC courses fill up quickly as more and more students apply. The PLC sector, which is now 15 years in existence, is now viewed as a valuable route to gain a vocationally based qualification. Although there are no tuition fees, there is a charge to register for certification with the National Council for Vocational Awards. Also, if a student needs to register with other professional bodies, this may involve a charge as well. Materials and equipment should also be factored into the course's outlay. Other costs include books, uniforms or protective clothing and exam fees. PLC students can apply for means-tested grants similar to third-level students.
The diversity of courses on offer through the PLC system is impressive. The main aim of these courses is to prepare students for direct access to employment. Horticulture, media studies, beauty therapy, computer studies or a course in public relations are all on offer at various institutions around the State.
Work experience is generally an integral part of most PLC courses. It should be stressed that this is very useful in making contracts for future employment.
Other PLC courses on offer include: design, book-keeping (manual and computerised), pre-nursing, outdoor pursuits, applied languages and tele-services; production design for theatre, stage management and administration, technical skills for theatre, stenography and engineering.
One of the strengths of the PLC sector is its ability to respond rapidly to the changing needs of the marketplace. One area that continues to grow each year is in the art and design portfolio preparation area. This is in direct response to the competition for third-level places on art and design courses. Many Leaving Certificate students do not get enough time to concentrate on the production of a quality portfolio which is needed for admission to these courses - taking a one-year PLC courses affords them that time.
Most PLCs are one-year full-time courses which lead to a qualification awarded by the NCVA. PLC courses are available in vocational, secondary and community and comprehensive schools, with the majority of courses on offer in the vocational sector.
Many students are now opting for the PLC route and popular courses can fill up very quickly. A course at PLC level is often tailor-made for students who are interested in a particular area. As exam pressure mounts in second-level schools around the State at this time of the year it's worth bearing in mind that sometimes students who find a PLC course to suit them find they can concentrate more easily on the Leaving Certificate when they know they have a place on a course afterwards. With the pressure of aiming for specific points lifted, some find study more rewarding. It's a funny old world.
The work-related content of most PLC courses means that there is a good balance between theory and practical work. It's often the happiest year or two for students who have suddenly found what they love to do best of all and can finally focus on this area and excel. For those who are thinking of the PLC route it's best to check out the colleges nearby that offer such courses, contact the staff and have a chat.
