Leaving Cert students urged to consider careers in science

More than 50,000 students receiving their long-awaited Leaving Certificate results were today urged to consider careers in science, engineering and technology.

Minister for Education Mary Hanafin said all students should be proud of what they have worked to achieve.

“This is an important milestone and can be a time of great celebration and indeed relief for students and their families as the results become available,” Ms Hanafin said, as more than 54,000 candidates received their results from the exams.

Confirming results and trends were similar to previous years, the former teacher said: “Again, I would ask students who have performed well in the subjects in the examinations to think carefully about choosing courses in the science, engineering and technology sectors.

“These areas offer qualifications which are in high demand with good career prospects, and are critically important to support the growth of high value knowledge based industries in Ireland.”

Around 38,000 CAO offers are likely to be made for college courses. More than 20,000 PLC course places and 7,000 apprenticeships are also available.

Ms Hanafin urged students and parents to think carefully about their options and seek advice if they are uncertain.

“There has never been more options or choices available than there are now for students coming out of school with their Leaving Cert,” she said.

“In addition, there is a wide range of other training and education opportunities available, such as apprenticeships. So whatever your results - there is something out there for you.

“I want to also say to students who feel that they may not have done as well as they had hoped that all is not lost. Look at all the options and career paths that are open to them and the variety of ways to gain additional academic credits which could lead you to your chosen career path in the future.”

Ms Hanafin said parents, families and teachers could provide valuable advice to students needing guidance on their careers.

“I still think it is important that students go to their school, be with their friends and get the help and support that their teachers are there to provide. There are also a number of professionally manned helplines available where students and parents can seek information and guidance on the options available to them,” she said.

“I hope that students getting their results celebrate with their friends sensibly and enjoy their achievement while not putting themselves or others at any risk.”

Management of off-licences and bars were called upon to ensure all staff check for identification as Leaving Cert students celebrate.

Charlie O’Connor, a Fianna Fáil TD in Dublin south west, said: “It is important that our young people realise that excess drinking will ruin what should be an evening to start a new chapter in their lives.

“Off-licences and bars must ensure that all their staff ask teenagers to produce ID during the celebrations so that no-one underage is served. In addition staff should be reminded that it is illegal to serve alcohol to anyone who is clearly intoxicated.”

The TD said gardaí and council employees should ensure public parks and other open spaces are not used by teenagers for underage drinking.

A helpline has been set up for anxious Leaving Certificate students. Guidance counsellors will be on hand to give advice to students and parents with queries on results, CAO offers, rechecks and grants. The helpline – 1800 265 165 – will be manned from 8am today.

The State Examinations Commission said its on-line results service, launched in 2001, would be available from noon on Wednesday.

Last year, 21,000 candidates in more than 40 different countries, including Australia, Kuwait, Japan, South Africa and Mexico, accessed their exam results in this way.

The service, which requires the use of the candidate’s examination number and PIN number, can be accessed through the commission’s website at www.examinations.ie

Students will be able to access the Central Applications Office (CAO) online at www.cao.ie from 6am on Monday, August 21 to view third level offers and apply for courses.