At 21, as she neared the end of her Leaving Certificate four years previously, Chelsea Lyons from Finglas, Dublin 11 was absolutely certain of wanting to step away from academia. She was so resolved in her decision that she didn’t even apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO).
Chelsea’s school days hadn’t been filled with an academic fervour. Although she was no troublemaker, she was also not the most eager to participate. Enthralled by the idea of earning her own money, she decided to dive straight into the working world. Her first job was at a popular supermarket chain in the country, working full time and revelling in her weekly paycheck. Having struggled financially in her younger years, the joy of having her own money and being able to contribute to the household funds was deeply satisfying.
About a year later, she took up a role in a betting shop and rapidly progressed to the position of deputy manager. The better wage and the nature of the work kept her content. However, after approximately two years, she began to reconsider her career choices and think about the prospects she could have had if she had pursued further education. With an awareness of her own intelligence, she wondered if she had underestimated her potential.
In 2023, Chelsea sought advice at her local youth centre which guided her to an experienced professional skilled in facilitating young people’s return to formal education. They presented her with all the options for further education and training, including Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses.
Designed and delivered by Ireland’s 16 Education and Training Boards and other local institutions, PLC courses are available across the country. These courses provide opportunities to explore specific subjects before committing to a degree programme or to gain direct employment skills. Typically lasting one to two years, these courses are an ideal pathway to higher education outside of the points system.
Chelsea decided to enrol in a PLC course in Office Administration and Reception Skills at Coláiste Íde College of Further Education in Finglas. Since students attending a PLC course are eligible to apply for a SUSI grant, Chelsea successfully secured financial aid for her year of study.
From the outset, her life getting back on track brought immense comfort to her. “I was thoroughly prepared,” Chelsea expressed. “I was mentally ready for it. This was exactly what I wanted.” Her decision also ignited a potential that she hadn’t experienced since her childhood.
“I was certain I would pursue my education and after achieving it, I would reinvent myself as a businesswoman. I used to always tell my family I’d become Ireland’s President, and I genuinely believe I could,” she states.
Her renewed approach towards studies reflected the valuable life lessons she learnt after quitting school. “Due to my break from education, I started valuing it even more. I experienced the harsh realities of the world out there and it was clear to me that I needed to be in an educational environment that allowed me to achieve great heights,” she further elaborates.
Chelsea achieved exactly that – not only did she secure distinctions in seven of eight PLC exam modules, but she also got elected as the class representative, followed by being elected as the student representative on her college’s board of management.
She got opportunities to represent Coláiste Íde at events organised by Dublin City’s Education and Training Board and the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals, which involved public speaking. She also managed to secure an Erasmus Scholarship for a three-week internship in Perpignan, France, as a part of her PLC course.
“PLC courses usually have small class sizes which allow for personalised attention. I received tremendous support from my lecturers,” Chelsea concurs. “There was one in particular who spared no effort in helping me out. I hope to repay him by gifting $1 million once I earn $100 million,” she jokingly admits.
Currently, various educational opportunities have opened up, one of them being PLC courses which have a level five and six QQI framework and last one or two years. The National Tertiary Office launched new tertiary degree programmes last year. This initiative, a collaboration between Solas and the Higher Education Authority, permits learners to begin their course in a further education college and then transferring to a university for their degree’s final years, dodging the points system.
A diverse array of subjects including business, technology, arts, engineering, manufacturing, and health are covered in tertiary education courses across the entirety of the UK. Solas, in addition to providing apprenticeships and traineeships, also funds the national online learning service for further education and training, eCollege. This offers a variety of excellent and interactive online courses, readily accessible free of charge, and catered to those who prefer self-paced learning.
Pre-university courses, often referred to as PLCs, might also appeal to some. There are currently over 1500 PLC courses available nationwide and evidence suggests students who partake in these courses are better equipped for university, enhancing their opportunity to finish their degree.
Chelsea’s story gives a practical illustration of this. She successfully completed a PLC course at Coláiste Íde, following which she applied for third-level education through the CAO with aspirations to study law. Ecstatic when she received an offer from her first-choice university, DCU, she shares her excitement saying she knew she’d nailed it. She is now pursuing joint honours law where she gets to pick a second subject from options like history, French, and Spanish. For her, the choice is politics, a subject that intrigues her more than typical activities for people her age, like watching Netflix. Chelsea also hints at a possible future political career herself, with a goal of becoming Uachtarán na hÉireann.
Currently, she firmly believes in the transformative potential of education for a better future. Her conviction is so compelling that her father, a former hospitality worker, is now pursuing a PLC course with aspirations to become a chef. Chelsea passionately advices others to consider education, regardless of age, highlighting the rewarding experience it offers.