5 Reasons to Consider a PLC Course
PLC courses offer a mixture of practical work, academic work and work experience.
College of Further Education are already open for applications for September 2021 and many colleges are running open days. PLC courses are a great option for school leavers and for adults returning to education. PLC courses take place in schools, colleges and community education centres. The courses are full-time and last for one to two years. They offer a mixture of practical work, academic work and work experience. They are designed as a step towards skilled employment and, as such, they are closely linked to industry and its needs. If PLCs are on your mind, here are five reasons why you should apply.
1 Get a Qualification
PLC courses are a great route to get an industry recognised qualification. Post Leaving Certificate courses adopt an integrated approach, focusing on technical knowledge, core skills and work experience. On successful completion of the course students are well equipped to enter into the workforce. They are graded from a Level 5 (same level as a Leaving Cert or Advanced Level 6- you can apply for this only after studying the level 5).
2 Alternative Route to Higher Education
A Pre-university PLC course offers students an alternative route to higher education. If you were unsuccessful in securing a place in college through CAO you can reapply using the QQI award you receive through your PLC education. Many of the courses on CAO reserve a quota of places for QQI applicants. You can apply to CAO and compete for these places using the PLC.
3 Gap Year
If you don’t feel ready to enter into a college degree and you want to take a gap year, you could consider completing a PLC course. Taking a PLC course is a great way to explore an area of interest or a hobby that you may not want to pursue as a career. You could complete a beauty course and run your own mobile beauty salon as a way of funding your college education. Or if sport is your passion you could complete a PLC in sports coaching or fitness. There are so many PLC courses available out there for you to explore – and you never know, your interest may even develop into your career!
4 Afraid to Commit?
You might be considering a course for higher education but without having an experience in the subject it could be daunting making the commitment to a four year course. Why not get a taste for the subject through a PLC course. Many students attracted to subjects such as Law, Computers and Social Sciences, Apprenticeships may have little or no experience of study these areas. Taking a pre-university course enlightens students on what a degree in the subject would be like. A PLC course also gives you a great foundation for your degree.
5 Back Up Plan
Many Leaving Cert students apply for PLC courses as a back up plan, in case they don’t get offered a course through CAO. PLC colleges offer students a place before they sit the Leaving Cert. This place is usually offered on condition that they meet a requirement such as passing five subjects. The security of having a conditional offer for a PLC course can alleviate some of the anxiety as students eagerly await Leaving Cert results and CAO offers.
Useful Videos To Understand Value of PLC Courses
How a PLC Works- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2ewkThnhNQ
Other Ways to College Courses – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sztz8YoZTS8&t=156s
Drogheda Institute Of Further Education Open Day ( DIFE)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmszCTo5-uY&t=1265s
Dife Website- https://www.dife.ie/
O’ Fiaich PLC College Dundalk- https://www.ofi.ie/
How To Apply:
1) Apply online to on the college website.
2) Attend Interview organised through your mobile phone/ email (check these for date and time). Interview is based on why you want study the course, your background and know a bit about the course that you have applied for on the application form you submitted.
3) Sometimes reference needed let Mr. Moylan ( Year Head Know)
4) If successful you will be offered a place on the course. Remember some courses are more popular than others so apply early to avoid disappointment if they are full.
Mark your diary Wednesday 10th March O’ Fiaich Dundalk College Open Day
Best of luck,
Mr. Mc Nicholas.