Lucan Community College6th year Information Night

Tuesday 1st October 2019

Tonight we will Cover

• Guidance Programme in LCC.

• Factors to consider in career choice.

• Quick look at careersportal.ie & Labour Market Demands

• National Framework of Qualifications.

• Leaving Certificate Points.

• Discuss various options available to students after school.

• Highlight Important Dates.

• HEAR & DARE Access Programmes.

• Student Grant (SUSI).

• Scholarships.

• Discuss student responsibility in the process.

Guidance Activities in LCCTransition Year

• TY Guidance Classes.

• Subject Choice Process.

• TY Trip to Maynooth University.

5th year

• Future Sparks Festival, RDS.

• Individual Career Meeting Interest Test/Aptitude Test Feedback.

5th/6th Year

• Individual interviews – continue from last year.

• Higher Options Careers Fair in RDS.

• Open Days.

• Speakers Visit School.

Guidance Counsellors

•All counselling related matters – Ms Mc Manus.

•Career appointments and guidance classes as follows;•Rye and Slaney, Ms Mc Manus•Griffeen & Shannon, Ms O Gara•Avoca & Liffey, Ms Brooks

Factors to Consider in Career Choice

•Interest – Interest assessment, work experience.

•Ability – DATs. Results of school examinations. Feedback from teachers.

REACH Account

• www.careersportal.ie

National Framework of Qualifications

www.cao.ie

Higher Education - CAO

• Application process for level 6, 7 and 8 courses.

• Higher Education

• Each student will receive a CAO book in guidance class –please keep this safe.

• Opens 5th November ‘19.

• €30 euro if apply by 20th January ’20.

• €45 if you apply after this date, up to 5:15 on 1st February ‘20.

• Change of mind from 5th May up to 1st July’20 (not restricted entry courses). FREE

Requirements for Higher Education – Level 6, 7 and 8 Courses

Matriculation

Subject Requirements

Grade Requirements

Points

Matriculation (Minimum Entry) Requirement

•Very generally…..•2 H 5s & 4 O 6s (level 8)…some institutions are higher…•Lower for Level 6 & 7 courses•Some have foreign language requirement

Subject Requirements

• Eg. Chemistry for Veterinary.• Science subject for science/health related course.

Grade Requirement• Some examples…..• H4 in Irish for Primary School Teaching• H4 Maths for Level 8 Engineering (not all courses) note

alternative maths exam also available in some colleges• Each student should familiarise themselves with requirements

for the course they are applying to.

Subject Levels for Leaving Certificate

• Take your teachers advice and guidance about what level to take.

• Strive to do as many higher level as possible while being realistic about your capabilities.

CAO Points

•Determined By;

•Number of places available.

•Number of students applying to that course.

•Points of students who have applied to that course.

Leaving Certificate Points & Percentages

Exemptions

• If you have an exemption for Irish or a foreign language, this must be communicated to the Institution you are applying to if a language is a requirement for the course.

• You need to indicate this on your CAO form.

•Please make your Guidance Counsellor aware if you have an exemption.

Restricted Courses

• Must apply by 1st February 2020.

• Additional information required from candidate.

• Audition/portfolio/interview/entrance test. E.g. Medicine - HPAT

• Trinity – Law, History & Ancient and Medieval History & Culture. Additional option to apply through alternative route – Trinity Feasibility Study. See GC for further information.

Alert Lists

• Available on CAO website.

• Important to check this throughout the year in the event some changes are made to courses listed in the handbook.

Use the Checklist in CAO Book

UK Applications

• ucas.com

• 15th Oct ‘19 Vet, Dent, Medicine.

• 15th Jan ’20 all other applications.

European Application• Eunicas.com

Access Routes for Students

www.accesscollege.ie

What is HEAR?

Criteria to Apply

Benefits of HEAR

DARE – Disability Access Route to Education

• The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is a third level alternative admissions scheme for school leavers whose disabilities have had a negative impact on their second level education.

Types of Disabilities Considered

• ADD/ADHD• Autistic Spectrum Disorder (including Asperger’s Syndrome)• Blind/Vision Impaired• Deaf/Hard of Hearing• Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (DCD) – Dyspraxia• Mental Health Condition• Neurological Condition (including Brain Injury and Epilspsy• Physical Disability• Significant Ongoing Illness• Speech and Language Communication Disorder• Specific Learning Difficulty (including Dyslexia and Dyscalculia)

Applying for DARE

If Applying for HEAR or DARE

• Apply through CAO.

• Important dates on accesscollege.ie

• You will need time to organise your application and paperwork.

• DARE - school input required. Please give adequate time to complete application.

• Students responsible for submitting applications.

• Information Clinics held nationwide in January 2020.

Alternative Options

•Colleges of Further Education

•Apprenticeships

•Defence Forces

•Gardaí

•Direct to Employment

Colleges of Further EducationLevel 5 and 6 on National Framework of

Qualifications

Rationale

• Not everyone goes straight into the CAO system after their Leaving Certificate, for a number of reasons.

• Further education courses are designed to prepare students for work by giving them specific skills and training and can also act as a stepping-stone to other third level qualifications at IT’s, Universities or other colleges.

Some Providers in Dublin

• Inchicore College of Further Education.

• Ballyfermot CFE.

• Rathmines CFE.

• Ballsbridge CFE.

• CFE Dundrum.

• Crumlin CFE.

• Dun Laoghaire CFE.

• Greenhills College.

• Liberties College

• Kylemore College.

• Sallynoggin CFE.

• Senior College Dun Laoghaire.

• St. Kevins College.

• Stillorgan CFE.

Sample Course – Direct Training

• Crumlin CFE.

• Beauty Therapy.

• 1 year course, Level 5 NFQ. (Level 6 available).

• Career & Employment OpportunitiesBeauty Salons, Hairdressing Salons, Health Farms, Leisure Centres, Department Stores, Pharmacies, Hotels, Cruise Liners, Teaching, In-flight Therapists or self-employed.

PLC Progressing to University

Application Process

• Based on interview, reference and Leaving Certificate results.

• Entry levels vary. Most require 5 O 6’s.

• Students apply directly to specific college - Application dates vary from college to college.

• Interview Feb/March.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships

•

Examples of Apprenticeships

How to Become an Apprentice

ESB Apprenticeship

• February 2020

• Keep an eye on website for application date

• Opportunity for progression to third level

• Students can apply to do a weekend course to prepare for ESB Aptitude Test

Defence Forces

• www.military.ie

• Campaigns at various stages of year

• Keep eye to website and national press.

• Cadets/General Entry/Trainee Technician (Air Corps).

Gardaí

• Register at publicjobs.ie to receive notification of upcoming recruitment campaigns.

• Garda Reserve can be excellent preparation – voluntary position. 4 hours per week.

Student Grant - SUSI

• The grant is there to help with the various costs of participating in further or higher education.

• P60, P21, P45, Redundancy statement, Social Welfare Statement, Rent Allowance, Mortgage Supplement, Birth Certificates (for all dependant children).

• Means Tested – income, number of dependant children.

• Financial year 1st January 2019 – 31st December 2019 assessed.

• Eligibility Reckoner on website.

www.susi.ie

Grants contd.

• SUSI application system opens April (approx.) 2020.

• Get paperwork ready beforehand

• Nationality/Status

• Residency

• Apply online to www.susi.ie

Scholarships

• Available in most institutions.

• Sporting, academic etc.

• Some offer reduced points for entry, sporting support and or financial support.

• Some require application in advance. A lot are awarded when student begins a course.

• Student to take note of what is available and apply accordingly (section on careersportal).

Open Days

• Begin in November.

• Most on Saturday.

• CRUCIAL part of the research process for students.

• Opportunity to meet faculty staff, ask questions and get a feel for campus life.

• Essential if you are considering that institution on your CAO.

Overall Student Responsibility

• Each Institution communicates directly with applicants.

• Student responsible for all applications, course choices and getting applications completed in good time.

• Photocopy any material you send to CAO and get proof of postage

Most Important Thing…….

• Your wellbeing.

• Try to have a balanced routine this year.

• Have an interest outside of school and study & spend time with family and friends.

• Very normal to feel a little stressed….this can be good motivation!!

• If it seems like things are getting very tough, you are surrounded by people who are happy to help…….family, friends, teachers, Year Head, Guidance Counsellor.

• Communicate how you are feeling – don’t bottle things up!