Further Education: Why Are Students and Parents Ignoring It?

Here’s a summary of the provided text,‍ focusing on the key points:

The article⁣ highlights a growing trend of students choosing⁤ Further Education and ⁤Training (FET) routes -⁢ specifically Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses ‍and apprenticeships – as a pathway to ⁤higher education and employment.

Here are ⁣the main takeaways:

Round ⁤Zero Opportunities: thousands of university places are available through FET routes,yet many students and parents are unaware of this option.
Increased ⁣Demand: There’s been ‍a nearly 12% increase as 2019 ⁣in students opting for PLCs, apprenticeships, and new tertiary degree programs.
Direct Employment ⁢Links: Many ‍PLCs‍ are designed to provide skills for jobs currently⁢ in demand.
Rising Enrollment: PLC enrollment increased⁤ from 27,379 in 2023 to ⁣29,517 in 2024.
Recognized Qualification: PLCs (Levels 5 & 6 on the National Framework⁤ of Qualifications) are a valuable and accredited stepping stone to further education. Accessibility & Affordability: ⁤ FET options, including PLCs, are available locally through Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and are often free or low-cost.
Improved University Readiness: Research suggests PLCs ‍can actually better* prepare students for university.

In essence, the article advocates for greater awareness and consideration of FET as a viable and increasingly ⁣popular option to direct university entry, offering both academic progression and direct pathways to employment.