VEC sector must be expanded to halt emigration

THE vocational education sector must be expanded to help stem the flow of emigration and prepare the country for economic upturn, a conference has been told.

The number of places in post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses remains restricted at 31,700, despite some colleges having four applicants for every available place. But the Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA) has called for increased investment in these and other training schemes run by Vocational Education Committees (VECs), including the transfer of some apprenticeship courses from Fás.

The VECs manage 240 second-level schools, dozens of further education colleges, and run programmes for adult education, early school leavers, prison education services and other facilities.