SOLAS (An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna)

We are delighted to launch our national School Leaver campaign today. With Leaving Certificate results around the corner, we're highlighting the endless opportunities available through Further Education and Training (FET) for school leavers. Available in every county through the Education and Training Board network, FET can offer so many ways to move forward – whether that's pathways into work, progressing into university, or figuring out where their interest lies after school. SOLAS, together with our FET sector partners, including the 16 ETBs has driven change and reform over the last 5 years, and we are at a place now where there is: 🟡 A significant increase in the number of school leavers choosing FET, apprenticeships and tertiary degree programmes as a first destination. 🟡 Clear, accessible pathways between FET and higher education.   🟡 An almost 12% growth in places taken up in the main alternative FET options to higher education over the last five years.  🟡 FET has become a valuable and recognised learning pathway in Ireland, with National CSO Data outlining positive outcomes for learners, with more than 90% of graduates of FET in 2021 were either employed or still accessing either further or higher education — or both — a year after graduation.  A huge thank you to the FET graduates, parents and guidance counsellors who have shared their experiences of FET for this campaign. Follow SOLAS' national School Leaver campaign @thisisfet on Instagram, Facebook and X. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/e58rh77a Maria Walshe Nessa White Andrew Brownlee Education and Training Boards Ireland Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB) Cork Education and Training Board City of Dublin ETB Donegal ETB Dublin and Dún Laoghaire ETB (DDLETB) Galway and Roscommon ETB Kerry Education and Training Board Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board (KCETB) Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board (LWETB) Louth & Meath ETB Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board Tipperary ETB Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board

‘I fell 11 points short of the course I wanted and went down the PLC route’ More information on www.ThisIsFet.ie https://lnkd.in/gEXJgqxf

What a brilliant collaboration with the National Parents Council on episode three of their NPC podcast series - a must listen for parents looking to support their teens through next steps after the Leaving Certificate. Exploring the value of alternative post-secondary learning pathways, this episode focuses in on post-Leaving Certificate (PLC), apprenticeships, Tertiary Degrees, and direct routes into work for school leavers. With an expert panel, featuring Nessa White, SOLAS Executive Director of Transformation; and two learners who share their own experiences of taking the PLC and Apprenticeship routes including Jack Yeates, former FIT Software Development apprentice with Salesforce and Apprenticeship Ireland Apprentice of the Year 2024 in the ICT category, and Chelsea Carlean Lyons, Colaiste Ide College of Further Education PLC graduate and current law student at Dublin City University in conversation with Aine Lynch, CEO of the National Parents Council. Some key take-aways: 🟡 The importance of being informed about all options available after Leaving Certificate results. 🟡 Taking the time to find the pathway that fits and works for Leaving Certificate students. 🟡 PLCs and Apprenticeships offer so many ways to move forward, as highlighted by Jack and Chelsea whether that's pathways into work or progressing into university or even for figuring out a career path after school. 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: https://lnkd.in/eMeikfXv Find out more about: 🟡 PLCs at thisisfet.ie/localcourses 🟡 Apprenticeships at apprenticeship.ie 🟡 Tertiary Degrees at https://lnkd.in/euG-u6pX 🟡 Speak with us at WorldSkills Ireland and Higher Options, taking place at the RDS from 17th -19th September. Registration in advance is essential for event entry. Andrew Brownlee Maria Walshe Apprenticeship Ireland National Tertiary Office Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science City of Dublin ETB Education and Training Boards Ireland

An important reminder with first round offers out today that there are so many pathways to a great career. Check out our national campaign highlighting Further Education and Training (FET) as a brilliant option for school leavers - available in every county through the Education and Training Board (ETB) network, FET can offer so many ways to move forward after school. It's been brilliant to see so much discussions in the media about the power of alternative pathways to direct entry to university: https://lnkd.in/eCw2Bq7v We are at the point where more and more school leavers are choosing these pathways, with an almost 12% growth in places taken up in the main alternative FET options to higher education over the last five years, through PLCs, apprenticeships and tertiary degree programmes. Find out more at https://lnkd.in/e58rh77a or by contacting your local Education and Training Board. Follow SOLAS' national School Leaver campaign @thisisfet on Instagram, Facebook and X. Maria Walshe Nessa White Andrew Brownlee Education and Training Boards Ireland Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB) Cork Education and Training Board City of Dublin ETB Donegal ETB Dublin and Dún Laoghaire ETB (DDLETB) Galway and Roscommon ETB Kerry Education and Training Board Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board (KCETB) Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board (LWETB) Louth & Meath ETB Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board Tipperary ETB Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board