TUI today outlined new figures which show that the number of applications for places in Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses in colleges of further education has risen sharply with the economic downturn. The union estimates that 30,000 applicants have already been unsuccessful in obtaining a place on a PLCcourse and has called for a removal of the artificial cap that limits student numbers in such colleges.

The union is seeking that in the interests of upskilling the population, colleges are given the resources to accommodate more students as a matter of urgency.

Speaking today, Don Ryan, President, TUI stated:

“TUI has consulted with colleges of Further Education across the country in recent days. Trends are the same in every province and in every town and city. Whether it is Cavan, Cork, Dublin, Dun Laoghaire, Drogheda, Limerick, Sligoor Galway, colleges have long waiting lists of applicants who now have little hope of obtaining a place on a PLCcourse.  On average there are two applicants for every PLCplace, or a staggering 60,000 applications for just half the number of places.

PLCcourses are a very cost effective way of up-skilling the population and restrictions on places make no economic, social or educational sense. Even looking at the situation in a purely economic terms, the cost of the extra resources necessary to take on new students would be greatly offset by savings of money otherwise payable in the form of Jobseeker’s Allowance.

Programmes provide students with specific vocational skills which enhance their prospects of securing employment or progressing on to further studies.  

All economic commentators agree that the nation requires a highly skilled and well educated workforce to take on the challenges of new opportunities as soon as the green shoots of economic recovery appear. PLCcourses can evolve quickly to suit the needs of the local community and as such are of particular importance going forward.”

PLCs can accommodate students on waiting lists if given the resources

“Many of the principals we spoke to stated that they could commence additional courses this week for PLCstudents on waiting lists if they were given the teaching resources to do so. All that is required is the additional teaching allocation. Additional PLCplaces would solve many of the pressing needs various Government Departments including Education and Science, Social And Family Affairs  and Enterprise Trade and Employment. We urgently request that the go ahead is now given to sanction additional PLCplaces in colleges which have the space to accommodate additional students.
We call on the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment to allocate a significant portion of its training budget to the VECs. The VECs have the expertise and track record to provide further education courses tailored to meet the local industry demands and needs, enabling students to enter the workforce or to progress on to further education and training.

TUI advice to students who are unsuccessful in getting a PLCplace

TUI has sent information to all PLCColleges with full contact and clinic details for all TDS. We are asking our members to advise unsuccessful applicants to visit their local TDs and explain the harsh reality of not getting a place on a PLCcourse this year.   We are confident that if enough unsuccessful PLCapplicants lobby their local representatives that the Minister for Education and his cabinet colleagues may see the absolute logic and economic sense in giving the green light to additional PLCplaces right now. In such a case, our members will ensure that additional courses are up and running at the earliest possible time.

A PLCplace enables a student – regardless of age - to move forward, increases their chances of securing employment and contributing to economic growth and recovery. Students in the past have contributed to the development of our Celtic Tiger economy and we are convinced that those graduating from PLCcourses in the future would be a further catalyst to economic recovery and growth.”

Additional Information:

Sample of applications to colleges around the country:

Sample of colleges of number of places that could be provided immediately:

Students on Waiting Lists 

Principals have told us that the applicants for PLCcourses this year can be broken down into two categories:

(i)                  students who have completed their Leaving Certificate and

(ii)                mature students who have lost their jobs and wished to reskill and retrain.

 All colleges have seen a significant increase in applications from both school leavers and mature students.  

RathminesCollegestated that many of the school leaver applicants this year would in the past  have gone straight into employment or taken up apprenticeship places. This year there are neither the jobs nor the apprenticeship places available for these school leavers.

Colaiste Dhulaigh in Coolock stated that the significant increase in the number of mature applicants reflects the huge increase in the numbers of those who have been made redundant.

Particularly long waiting lists for the following courses:

Colaist Dhulaigh in Coolock  stated that there was high demand and long waiting lists for courses in the care area,applied social studies, pre-nursing science, sports science and business.

 Sligo College of Further Education Ballinode confirmed that there were long waiting lists for courses in childcare, social studies, nursing , business and design.

 InchicoreCollegestated that many students hoping to get a place on popular courses including social studies, pre-nursing or sport and fitness will not even be interviewed because of the excessive demand for places.

Colaiste Stiofan Naofa, Cork stated that the college has had a huge volume of applications for social studies, music management , leisure and recreation, and sports injuries courses The college has 160 applications for 18 places on the sports injuries course. There has been an incredible increase in applications compared to last year. For instance this college had 260 applicants for 24 places on the leisure and recreation course. Last year there were 140 applications for this same course.

Impact of Cutbacks will also affect colleges

The introduction of the moratorium on appointments to promotional posts is also beginning to impact negatively on colleges. Sligo College of Further Education Ballinode has to be managed  effectively with six less promotional posts. Needless to say, the loss of such posts makes management of colleges significantly more difficult.