While some people have viewed post leaving certificate and further education courses as not as prestigious or important as university or IT degree courses, PLC options provide valuable and worthwhile options to students who may not get enough CAO points for the course they wanted, or who choose further education courses for a variety of other reasons.

A major advantage of the further education system is that it provides very practical education and training. Staff at further education colleges is aware of developments in the Irish job market, and has links with local companies and industry, so courses are tailored to provide students with the useful skills that employers are looking for.

Further education courses offer a viable route right to the top of the third level ladder. It is very possible to enter the third level system at a college of education, and through dedication and hard work, progress via a private college, IT or university on to a full degree or even a postgraduate qualification. Obviously this will take longer than entering directly at university level, but the direct route is not always possible for most students.

There are some careers for which a further education qualification is not suitable. A number of job sectors now require a degree as a minimum entrance standard. Students interested in studying academic or scholarly subjects may find that the universities and ITs offer them more options. It is important to remember that the quickest and most direct way to a professional career – whether in industry, business or other area – is still to get a third level qualification at the highest level possible for you.

Some students may not be ready to move on to a university or IT for a number of perfectly logical reasons, including family responsibilities, financial pressures or deciding that their potential lies in other areas. Colleges of Further Education can offer a more direct route into the workforce. A post leaving certificate qualification in many subjects opens up a wide range of career options and possibilities.

Further education colleges tend to be smaller and more community based than huge university of IT campuses. Many students can find that the smaller scale of the further education system suits them and caters for their particular needs and personal situation. Some students get a bit lost at university, while further education colleges can provide an environment in which many students thrive and reach their full potential.

Further education courses are also increasingly attractive to mature students. Statistics show that there are more new mature students in the further education sector each year than are entering universities and ITs put together. With changes in Ireland’s economy and job market, the further education sector plays a valuable role in helping people gain new skills and abilities to enable them to take up good jobs with both Irish and multinational companies.

On balance then the further education sector suits some students more than others. It is fair to say that every year an increasing number of students decide to choose a further education course, and the further education sector provides a most valuable and useful route to a wide number of careers.