PLC (Post Leaving Certificate) courses offer an opportunity to develop vocational and technological skills in order to gain employment or to go into further education and training. The PLC is often seen just as a course for school-leavers. In fact, you will also be welcomed as an adult participant. PLC courses take place in schools, colleges and community education centres around the country. The courses are full-time and last for one to two years. They offer a mixture of “hands-on” practical work, academic work and work experience. A wide range of disciplines are covered including business, electronics engineering, computing, catering, sport and leisure, theatre and stage, performance art, art craft and design, equestrian studies, multi-media studies, journalism, tourism, marketing, childcare and community care, hairdressing and beauty care, applied science, horticulture etc. Below are the contact details of Colleges and Schools in the South East who offer PLC courses.
| Bray Institute of Further Education | Novara Ave., Bray. Co. Wicklow 01 2866233 | http://www.bife.ie/ |
| Bridgetown Vocational College | Bridgetown, Co. Wexford 9135257 | http://www.bridgetownvocationalcollege.ie/ |
| Bunclody Vocational College | Irish St, Bunclody, Co. Wexford (053) 9377590 | http://www.bunclodyvc.ie/ |
| Carlow Institute of Further Education | Kilkenny Rd, Carlow 059 9131187 | http://www.carlowife.ie/ |
| Coláiste Abbain | Adamstown, Co. Wexford 053 9240564 | http://www.colaisteabbain.ie/ |
| Coláiste an Átha | Kilmuckridge, Gorey 053 9130169 | www.colaisteanatha.ie |
| Coláiste Cathal Naofa | Youghal Road, Dungarvan 058 41184 | www.ccndungarvan.com |
| Colaiste Bhride | Carnew Community College, 053 9426318 | http://www.cbcarnew.ie/ |
| Dunlaoghaire Further Education Inst., | 17 Cumberland St, Dun Laoghaire 01 280 9676 | http://www.dlcfe.ie/ |
| Enniscorthy Vocational College | Milehouse Rd, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford (053) 9234185 | http://www.evc.ie/ |
| Glenart College | Coolgreaney Rd, Arklow, Co. Wicklow 0402 32149 | www.glenartcollege.ie |
| Gorey Community School | Esmonde St, Gorey 053 9421000 | http://www.goreycs.ie/ |
| Gorey School of Art | Railway Rd, Gorey 053 9422738 | http://www.gsa.ie/ |
| Kennedy College | New Ross, Co. Wexford 051 421278 | http://www.newrossvocationalcollege.ie/ |
| Ramsgrange Community School | Ramsgrange, New Ross 051 389211 | http://www.ramsgrangecommunityschool.ie/ |
| Senior College Dun Laoghaire | value-2 | http://www.scd.ie/ |
| St Paul’s Community College | Browne’s Road, Waterford 051 355816 | www.stpaulswaterford.ie |
| Waterford College of Further Education | Parnell St, 051- 874053 | http://www.wcfe.ie/ |
| Selskar College | Wexford (053) 9122753 / 9141210 | www.selskarcollege.ie |
At present over 1,000 courses are on offer in some 229 centres (visit http://www.qualifax.ie/ for information on what PLC courses are available throughout the country). The qualification you receive at the end of your training will depend on the type of course you have chosen. Many of the one-year PLC courses offer QQI www.qqi.ie (formerly FETAC) accreditation at level 5, while other more advanced courses may offer QQI level 6, which can lead to further studies at third level. Other qualifications such as City and Guilds are also available. It is important to check out the qualification attached to a particular course before you decide to enrol.
How to apply: Find the course in which you are most interested and apply directly to the school or college offering that course. As a mature student you will probably be called for an interview before a final selection is made. These interviews offer you the opportunity to discuss your particular interest in the course and show your level of commitment and focus in returning to full time education.
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