Youthreach, PLCs and Third Level Education

One of the things we tell all our students when they come here first is that attending Youthreach is just a stepping stone on their education journey. In Youthreach NGGS we offer full QQI Level 3 and QQI Level 4 qualifications, plus two Level 5 Beauty Therapy modules.

On the National Framework of Qualifications, a full QQI Level 3 Certificate is equivalent to the Junior Cert and more importantly, on the NFQ a full QQI Level 4 Certificate is roughly equivalent to the Leaving Cert. This means that any Youthreach student who graduates with a full QQI Level 4 Cert can apply for a place on a Post Leaving Cert course or PLC.

PLCs are often referred to as FET courses – Further Education and Training, and they provide qualifications at QQI Levels 5 and 6.

For students, the benefits of attending a PLC/FET course are huge. Attending a PLC/FET college is an excellent way to try out a course that interests them if they aren’t ready to go straight into employment. Attending a PLC/FET also helps students to make a more informed decision about what to study in the future. PLC’s offer courses in a wide variety of subjects including Sport, Art, Biology, Catering, Nursing, Business, IT, Accountancy, Science, Psychology and Engineering, and are taught in Modules (just like in Youthreach). These industry-recognised qualifications offer students a path into long-term well-paid employment like apprenticeships but above all a PLC also offers students an alternative route into Third Level Education.

The goal for each of our students is that they graduate from Youthreach with a full QQI Level 4 Certificate in General Learning, and to then continue their studies on a PLC/FET course.

Students who successfully complete a PLC/FET course can then apply to study Third Level degree courses – this alternative route to Third Level studies is increasing every year. In fact, almost 20% of all CAO applicants have completed a Level 5 or Level 6 PLC/FET course. There are also Tertiary Degree programmes which provide a seamless transition from PLC/FET to Higher Education. After completion of the first part of the programme in a PLC/FET, students complete the remainder of their degree course in a Third Level University. Tertiary degrees provide students the opportunity to get the education and career they want, via the PLC/FET route.

Just this month, two of our former students, Kellie Boardman and Yahya Hassan have both applied to the CAO for a university place next September. Kellie and Yahya came to Youthreach NGGS via very different paths – Kellie left school after her Junior Cert, while Yahya is originally from Sudan – but they both flourished in our centre and left last year having gained a full QQI Level 4 Certificate. Kellie and Yahya are now in PLCs and (fingers crossed!) heading for Third Level in September 2024.

This is what Youthreach NGGS can do – provide students with the opportunity to make genuine progress in their lives. If you’re interested in applying to our centre, get in touch with us today.