Irish Vocational Education Association

An Cumann Gairmoideachais in Éirinn

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Minister for Education and Skills announces the providers of 1,000 additional PLC places as part of the Government's Jobs Initiative
12 June 2011
Extra PLC places a step in the right direction; a statement by Michael Moriarty, General Secretary
Having campaigned for the lifting of the current cap of 31,500 PLC places I welcome the Minister's announcement of an extra 1000 PLC places as a step in the right direction. However, as VECs are actually enrolling up to 38,000 PLC students the enhanced funding goes some way towards assisting vecs in terms of funding them for 32,500 of those places.
Due to the severest economic recession in the history of the state there has been unprecedented demand for PLC places from those who are unemployed or wish to enhance their generic or specific skills . Vecs can and will deliver on government policy when the necessary funding is in place. IVEA realises that while funding is scarce we equally realise that the best route to economic recovery is to vigorously pursue a regeneration of the skills set of the workforce. In acknowledging the Minister's initiative IVEA will continue to enhance the capacity of the Vec sector to support the thousands of people seeking to access PLCs and other educational programmes.
The Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA) is the representative body for the 33 Vocational Educational Committees (VECs) in Ireland, and works to protect, promote and enhance the interests of vocational education and training within the wider education sector and the country at large.
VECs deliver a wide range of educational services, from managing Community National Schools, second-level schools and colleges, Post Leaving Certificate colleges (PLCs) and education centres to providing training programmes for Travellers, adult literacy courses, prisoner education services, Youthreach programmes, Vocational Training Opportunities Schemes, and community education programmes.
VEC PLCs have developed a range of programmes and courses in response to the needs of industry and commerce which are certified by FETAC at levels 3 to 6, and by the professional bodies which set standards for entry into the professions.
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