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Education in County Kildare

Post Leaving Certificate

PLC Courses

Post Leaving Certificate ClassPost Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses are specially designed programmes of one or two years duration, run in a number of colleges and schools for students who have completed their Leaving Certificate and who wish to avail of further education and learning but do not wish to embark on a full third level Degree Diploma or Certificate. PLC courses also suit students who are not fully certain of their current path and thereby offer an opportunity to further their education while deciding on a career. A large number of adults who wish to update their skills also find PLC courses and excellent avenue back to the work environment.

Course Content

PLC courses are usually very work and vocational orientated and this fact makes them very relevant to students needs. Most courses include a work experience module which is very effective in promoting links with business and industry and these links very often lead to direct employment once a student has completed their course. Many courses are specifically designed in co-operation with specific industries in order to provide students with the skills required by those industries.

Certification

Courses are certified by FETAC which is the national certification body at this level. FETAC have a number of reserved places in third level colleges and this provides an excellent avenue of entry to third level for students who did not qualify directly for a place after their Leaving Certificate.

The courses cover a very extensive range of options

  • Business and Secretarial Skills
  • Computer Studies
  • Computer Animation
  • Construction
  • Art Craft and Design
  • Multi-Media Production
  • Theatre and Stage Production
  • Performing Arts
  • Childcare and Community Care
  • Sport and Leisure
  • Tourism and Hotel and Catering
  • Sport and Leisure
  • Equestrian Studies
  • Horticulture
  • Applied Languages and Information Technology
  • Teleservices

A maintenance grant scheme for which PLC students are able to apply has been introduced. The maintenance scheme is means tested, and grants are paid along the same lines as the current third level student support scheme. Grant applications are available from local Vocational Education Committees.

For more information check out the Kildare VEC Website

  • Information Centre
  • PLC Courses
  • VTOS Centres
  • Youthreach Centres
  • Night Classes
  • Day Classes
  • Adult Basic Education
  • Community Education

FETAC

The Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) is the national awarding body for further education and training in Ireland. It gives people the opportunity to gain recognition for learning in education or training centres, in the work place and in the community.

FETAC's functions include

  • making and promoting awards
  • validating programmes
  • monitoring and ensuring the quality of programmes
  • determining standards

 

Programmes leading to FETAC awards are offered nationwide by a wide range of providers in diverse settings, including BIM, Fáilte Ireland (CERT), FÁS and Teagasc centres, VEC's, adult and community education and training centres, Institutes of Technology and in the workplace.
Visit the FETAC website at www.fetac.ie


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