FE? PLC?• Formerly Post Leaving Certificate

(PLC)• 36,000 students• Evolved mainly in VECs (now ETBs)

• Mostly level 5 and 6 - some level 7,8• Innovative courses, often unique to

FE• Alternative route to HE

Who?

• Students from LC/LCA• 2nd Chance• 50% Mature students• Vocationally focused• Generally less well-off• Diverse – abilities, needs, issues

What happens in FE?• Students benefit• Benefits emphatically described• Confidence, more aware, more

questioning, more articulate• Transformational for many (NAPD,

2013)• Very few mention vocational skills • Not vocational for all - moratorium

How does this happen?

• Support• Positive relationships• Meeting challenges• Welcoming, understanding, pleasant

atmosphere• Enjoyment

Issues• 2nd level status - McIver, 2003• Level 5, 6 only – no level 4• FE not integrated• No Part-time courses• Assessment - certification• CPD• Retention• Cuts – casualisation of teaching

Challenges and Possibilities• Two discourses in FE • SOLAS - emphasis on skills for

employment• What is education for?• What do we value in FE?• FE cannot be based just on needs of

the economy