Over 1,500 Further Education and Training (FET) Courses Available for School Leavers

SOLAS/26.08.2024

School Leavers should consider over 1,500 Further Education and Training (FET) courses that are on offer across the country after receiving their Leaving Certificate results last Friday, that’s according to SOLAS, the state agency responsible for Further Education and Training (FET) in Ireland.

Further Education and Training options offer an opportunity for students to leave the points race behind them and provide a pathway for students to build a career that suits them. FET courses for school leavers, at levels 5 and 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), also known as Post Leaving Certificate or (PLC) courses open up routes to university and prepare students for successful careers in countless cutting-edge industries.

SOLAS, together with the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) across Ireland, is leading transformation across the sector with FET now considered a valuable and recognised post-secondary learning pathway, outside of the points system. School leavers continue to be drawn to the wealth of smart choices available in every county that are well positioned to lead Leaving Certificate students on to a world of exciting careers.

Commenting on the Further Education and Training opportunities available to those who have received their Leaving Certificate results, Nessa White, Executive Director for Transformation at SOLAS, said: 

“Leaving Certificate students can find a range of exciting opportunities through FET, with software development, beauty therapy, cyber security and engineering just a sample of the courses that are on offer to school leavers who received their Leaving Certificate results on Friday. There are so many options to explore, with many courses remaining open for application until the end of the summer.”

“SOLAS has seen unprecedented growth and demand for Further Education and Training (FET) in 2023, where the learner base growing by around 17.2% from 2022 to 2023. Last year alone, one in ten adults in Ireland – over 400,000 people were engaged in FET and apprenticeship activity last year. FET is also becoming a prime destination for school leavers, with increasing numbers of learners choosing this pathway to achieve the careers of their choice.”

“Our advice to students who have received their Leaving Certificate results, is to explore all their options before taking their next step. There are countless pathways to prepare for your next step after school. Whether the next step is exploring options before university, following your passion or going directly into a career, there is huge value in choosing FET first to discover what interests you. There are endless opportunities available through FET to get students to where they want to be.”

Speaking on the wealth of FET options available locally through the Education and Training Board (ETB) network, Paddy Lavelle, General Secretary at Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) added:

 "We encourage school leavers to explore the vast variety of opportunities that FET has to offer in every county across Ireland. Local provision through 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) across the country provides school leavers with the choice to stay close to home while they take that next step on their learning journey.” 

“In addition to the great variety of FET courses on offer outside of the points system,  as a sector we have strengthened Further Education to Higher Education Pathways with an expanded number of Tertiary Degrees on offer by the National Tertiary Office providing accessible pathways from Further Education to University. For anyone who is still unsure about their next steps after school, I welcome them to discover FET courses available through their local ETB today.” 

Ceara Shaw, Yoga Teaching and Holistic Studies FET graduate, Kerry College Killorglin Campus concluded: 

“After my Leaving Certificate in 2022, I took a gap year to live and work abroad, and then the following September I started the Yoga Teaching and Holistic Studies FET course at the Killorglin Campus in Kerry College. I’m so glad I did my FET course, I came away with a great qualification and the year gave me the opportunity and the space to explore my career path further. For me, that extra time was really important to help me choose the path that was right for me and I’m really looking forward to starting university to study English Literature in September.”

People who received their Leaving Certificate results on Friday can explore the FET courses on offer at thisisfet.ie.