🎙️ Episode 3 — Beyond College: Apprenticeships, Training & Direct Work Routes

University isn’t the only path. In this episode, we explore apprenticeships, traineeships, PLCs, and direct routes into work — what they look like today, how they’re changing, and how parents can support teens to choose the path that fits.

What’s inside

• Real stories from a software-development apprentice and a PLC learner who progressed to university.
• National insight into the Further Education & Training (FET) landscape and modern apprenticeships.
• Practical tips for parents: taking the pressure off, creating “breathing room,” and finding impartial guidance.

Guests

• Jack Yeates — Software Development apprentice.
• Chelsea Lyons — PLC learner who progressed to Law & History at DCU.
• Nessa (SOLAS) — National perspective on FET & apprenticeships.

Useful links

• National Parents Council (NPC)
• SOLAS
• NPC Linktree

Supports

• NPC Helpline: 01 887 4477 (Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm)
• Leaving Cert Helpline (results week): 1800 265 165

If this helped, follow and share with a parent exploring life after the Leaving Cert.

#NPC #Apprenticeships #FET #PLC #Parents #LeavingCert

Poll: Which path would you like to learn more about?

• Apprenticeships
• PLCs
• Traineeships
• Going straight to work