Going to college isn’t for everyone. Some people can’t wait to start work. The official statistics say that approximately 40 percent of young Irish people make the direct transition from school to work. As with everything, there are pros and cons about going into the world of work immediately following the Leaving Cert. The obvious attraction is the full-time wage; people working full-time generally have more disposable income than students. They also have a number of years work experience under their belts by the time their fellow students graduate.
Many bigger companies and organisations offer school-leaver programmes, which provide on-the-job training and often allow people to gain recognised qualifications while they work. This includes banks, large manufacturing companies and the civil service, among others. However, not everyone who bypasses higher-level education finds an interesting job with good prospects. It is now harder for school leavers to get a ‘good’ job than it used to be. For many jobs, third level qualifications are now necessary.
It is important that school-leavers seeking work brush up their CV and dress well for interviews. You can help your child secure that all-important first job by offering advice and practising exam technique. You can also check newspapers and websites for relevant job vacancies to help them in their job search.
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