The Minister of State for Higher Education Mary Mitchell O’Connor T.D. today highlighted the importance of College Awareness Week, a nationwide campaign aimed at raising awareness relating to the benefits of going to college. The Minister also took the opportunity to emphasise to prospective students the many other pathways available to them through apprenticeships, traineeships and Post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses.

College Awareness Week 2019 runs from November 17th to 23rd and aims to promote the advantages of college to students from all backgrounds. The campaign will see a series of nationwide events taking place including college open days, information sessions and careers exhibitions.

Minister Mitchell O’Connor said: “College Awareness Week provides us with a vital opportunity to showcase the range of options available to all our students looking to progress through the education system. It is important that we look to increase the number of students from disadvantaged backgrounds who proceed to higher education.

“I would encourage students to take advantage of this opportunity to explore the benefits of going to college but also to look at the array of apprenticeships, traineeships and the Post Leaving Certificate programme which all provide an excellent avenue to the world of work.”

The Minister drew attention to the increased number of apprenticeships available through the Government’s Action Plan to expand Apprenticeship and Traineeship saying: “Over the last number of years we have placed an increased focus on providing a wider range of courses for students.

“Budget 2020 saw an additional €27 million to support the huge growth in apprenticeships and at the end of 2020 the apprenticeship population will have doubled over 2016 figures.”