PLCs are full-time one year courses that offer a mixture of practical work, academic work and work experience. Post Leaving Certificate courses adopt an integrated approach, focusing on technical knowledge, core skills and work experience. Almost half of the time spent on a PLC is devoted to knowledge and skill training related to employment, with a further quarter spent on relevant work-based experience
Donegal ETB offers the following QQI Levels 5 fields of learning; which include an element of work experience:
—Animal Care
—Art, Craft and Design
—Business Administration
—Business Studies
—Early Learning and Care
—Engineering Technology
—Inclusive Education and Training (Level 6)
—Sports, Recreation and Exercise
PLCs are designed as a step towards skilled employment and, as such, they are closely linked to industry and its needs.
Ideal progression from Leaving Certificate for those who want an extra year to study a specific vocational area and for adults returning to education.
Successful students may apply to third level programmes at Institutes of Technology and Universities through the Higher Education Links Scheme.
There is a registration fee of €100.00 for all students. QQI exam fee of €50.
The following categories of participants are exempt from paying the €50.00 QQI exam fee:
- Full medical card holders and their dependent children
- Those who are eligible under the student grant scheme
- Those in receipt of the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA)
Courses are currently based in five locations:
Buncrana FET Centre
Letterkenny - Errigal College | FET Centre Business Park Road | FET Centre Port Road
Stranorlar Finn Valley College
You can apply for a PLC anytime from November each year for starting the following September.
You can apply through:
Your school,
Online www.donegaletb.ie/fetcoursefinder.
The CAO - https://www.cao.ie/ (from November each year)
