Why Further Education and Training (FET) could be the right choice for you after your Leaving Certificate

With the Leaving Certificate exams fast approaching in June, many students are focused on the exams and their next steps after school. While some students may have their future career mapped out, some might start to question their career choices after the Leaving Certificate and there will be many who are unsure about what’s next. We can be sure that everyone’s journey will look different. 

Why choose FET?

No matter what stage you are in your journey of navigating what’s next after the Leaving Certificate, Further Education and Training (FET) offers a flexible and practical pathway that is available outside of the points system and can help you to find the right next step after school. Every year, thousands of Leaving Certificate students across the country choose FET after school. There are many reasons why FET is growing as a prime destination for school leavers.

FET is Available in Your Local Area

One of the biggest advantages of FET is that Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses are available in every county through the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs). This means that you don’t have to move away from home or travel long distances to continue your education after school.

Daithi O’Toole’s FET journey opened doors to endless opportunities, including a Public Relations internship in Washington DC as part of the prestigious Washington Ireland Programme. This all began with starting a QQI level 5 in Business and Digital Marketing PLC course after school in St, Conleth’s Community College in his local area of Newbridge, Co.Kildare.

“My father pointed me in the direction of St Conleths as it was local. After a lot of research, I ended up choosing St Conleths as it was super close, one stop on the train away.”

A Route to Higher Education

If university is your goal but you didn’t get the points you needed, don’t worry! PLC courses are outside of the points race, and upon successful completion can offer progression pathways to universities, preparing you to apply for a degree.

Anna Ryan, a FET graduate is currently studying a degree in marketing at DCU, took the FET route through the Marketing, Innovation and Design course at Blackrock Further Education Institute in Dublin after she missed out on the points. She thrived during the one-year FET course, and it helped her to decide that marketing was definitely for her. She was accepted to a marketing degree in DCU, so that after completing her FET course in the summer, she started her degree course that September.

“My advice to others is that if you get the points you need, brilliant. But if you don’t, don’t be disheartened. There are so many ways go get where you want to go. I just wish I had known when I did my Leaving Cert.”

Research suggests that studying a FET course first can prepare you better for going into university. We know that this research also points to the fact that FET graduates are less likely to drop out of higher education and that the extra year helps with the development of their skills in research, presentations, writing and communication skills.

After starting into her degree course, Megan Dooley, a FET graduate from Drogheda Institute of Further Education (DIFE) in Co Louth noted how “Completing the course gave me the confidence and opportunity to pursue a degree in university, as well as providing me with academic skills that have contributed to my studies in university.”

Time to Explore Your Options

Planning your next steps straight after the Leaving Certificate can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure about your career path. With courses mainly one year (some two years) in length, FET can allow you to gain valuable skills while keeping your options open.

Whether you want to try out a field before applying to a degree, expand your knowledge in an area of interest or take time to figure out your next steps, FET gives you the time and flexibility to explore different career paths without having to commit to applying to a four- year degree.

After studying two completely different FET courses at DIFE – first in mechanical engineering, then early childhood care, and after two years’ work experience in childcare, Megan decided to progress her career by applying to study mathematical sciences in TU Dublin. Speaking about her journey she found that “PLCs can aid people in making decisions about their future and help to ease the transition from second- to third-level education.”

Preparation For Employment

FET courses can also provide real-world skills to prepare you for the workplace. Many courses include work placements and hands on training, helping you build the experience and confidence needed for your career.

FET learner, Anjaleen Malik, who is in her second year studying Advanced Beauty Therapy at Dunboyne College of Further Education in Co Meath, while also working at Thérapie Clinic.  She explained the course “taught me the practical skills for the tasks I need to perform in my job. The course gave me hands-on experience with the machines, and my tutors provided me with valuable knowledge and insight into what working in the beauty industry is like. Being able to communicate effectively with clients and staying organised were really important skills that helped me succeed as a laser specialist at Thérapie Clinic. Now, I can offer top-notch treatments and keep clients happy with their smooth skin.”

A wide Range of Exciting Courses

FET opens doors to a variety of careers in exciting industries, from science and software development to beauty therapy, business and design.

A number of FET students have built successful careers in the creative industry. Award-winning freelance Motion Designer and Director, Oliver Keane, spoke about his journey through FET which paved the way for his thriving career. Having studied both the Art, Craft and Design, and Digital Media in College of FET, Tramore Road Campus (formerly Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa) in Cork, before taking his next steps, he spoke about how “The PLC courses set me up for success – they gave me the practical tools to thrive in the real world. I was never the best test taker or the best in school, but because of the PLC courses, this didn’t keep me from a successful career as a freelance Motion Designer and Director.”

If you’re still unsure about your next steps, remember that there’s a multitude of pathways to success. FET can provide you with endless exciting opportunities, all outside of the points race, to make a start on an educational journey that works for you after school. 

Explore your options at fetchcourses.ie or contact your local ETB to find out about available courses.