The Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme

The Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme is a very popular and successful programme in Crana College, with most students qualifying for eligibility due to the vast spectrum of subjects offered at Leaving Certificate level. See below for subject combinations (under VSGs) which deem a student eligible.

Students go on a full week of work experience in term two of 5th Year and this placement can be undertaken anywhere in the Republic of Ireland or in Northern Ireland. This gives students a chance to sample a career and also to experience the realities of a work environment. Portfolio work forms 60% of assessment. This portfolio must be submitted in the first week of March. A terminal state exam takes place in early May in 6th Year to complete the other 40%. This means by mid-May of 6th Year the LCVP is complete. The success of students in Crana College is such that, over 75% of our students count LCVP as one of their 6 CAO subjects.

About the LCVP

The Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) is an intervention designed to enhance the vocational dimension of the Leaving Certificate (established). The programme was introduced in 1994 in response to the challenge placed on Ireland’s education system by a changing work and business environment. The LCVP combines the academic strengths of the established Leaving Certificate with a new and dynamic focus on self–directed learning, innovation and enterprise. This two-year programme is part of an expanded provision that aims to cater for the diversity of participants’ needs at Senior Cycle.

The primary goal of the LCVP is to prepare young people for adult life by ensuring that they are educated in the broadest sense, with an ability to cope and thrive in an environment of rapid change. Participants in the programme are encouraged to develop skills and competencies fundamental to both academic and vocational success.

Throughout the programme students are encouraged to:

• Be innovative and enterprising
• Take responsibility for their own learning
• Adapt to changing circumstances
• Evaluate data and devise solutions to problems
• Communicate their thoughts and ideas effectively
• Work with others as part of a team
• Investigate and plan career options
• Use information and communications technologies
• Investigate local businesses and community enterprises
• Learn from their experiences

These skills and qualities are equally relevant to the needs of those preparing for further education, seeking employment or planning to start their own business.

The strong vocational focus of the LCVP is achieved by arranging Leaving Certificate subjects into Vocational Subject Groupings (VSGs) and through the provision of additional courses of study in work preparation and enterprise known as the Link Modules.

Programme Requirements

Programme requirements for students are as follows:

• At least five Leaving Certificate subjects, one of which must be Irish plus the Link Modules
• Two of the above subjects must be selected from one of the designated Vocational Subject Groupings
• Two Link Modules: Preparation for the World of Work and Enterprise Education
• A recognised course in a Modern European Language other than Irish or English

What is a recognised Modern European language course for LCVP students?

The school has the discretion in this case, and there are various options open to students.​ They can take a language at Junior Certificate level or they can follow one of the FETAC language modules or the language teacher can devise a school programme in the language.

Students must take the language class for a minimum of one class period per week or equivalent over the two years of the programme within school time. If a student is exempt from Irish for the Leaving Certificate they are automatically exempt for the LCVP and students should replace Irish with another subject.

Vocational Subject Groupings (VSGs)

Two subjects are selected from one of the Vocational Subject Groupings. These subjects provide students with a focus for developing vocational skills and exploring their career options.

The Specialist Groupings consist of subjects which complement one another naturally. The Services Groupings comprise subjects which complement one another in a commercial context.

The Link Modules

Students taking the Leaving Certificate Examination will follow two Link Modules over the course of the two years.

Link Module I – Preparation for the World of Work

Students will research and investigate local employment opportunities, develop job seeking skills such as letter writing, CV presentation, interview techniques; gain valuable practical experience of the world of work; interview and work shadow a person in a career area that interests them

Link Module II – Enterprise Education

Students will be involved in organising visits to local business and community enterprises; meet and interview enterprising people on site and in the classroom; plan and undertake interesting activities that will build self–confidence, creativity, initiative and develop teamwork, communication and computer skills.

Typically, LCVP students take seven Leaving Certificate Subjects plus the Link Modules.

Assessment of the Link Modules

LCVP students follow the same subject syllabi, and are assessed in the same way, as their peers in the established Leaving Certificate. For the Link Modules they are assessed by Written Examination (40%) and by Portfolio of Coursework (60%).  The written examination takes place in May of the Leaving Certificate Year.  The examination is of two and a half hours duration and consists of three sections which are outlined below.

The structure of the Written Examination is as follows:

Section A Audio Visual Presentation
Section B Case Study (received in advance by students)
Section C General Questions (4 out of 6)

The Portfolio of Coursework accounts for 60% of total marks. Students assemble the portfolio over the two years of the programme and it is assessed at the end of the final year of the Leaving Certificate. The Portfolio and Written Examination are externally assessed by the Department of Education & Skills.

Certification

LCVP students receive the same certificate as other Leaving Certificate students but their Certificate includes an additional statement of the results of the Link Modules.

Grades for the Link Modules are as follows:

The Link Modules are recognised for points purposes by the Institutes of Leaving Certificate Vocational ProgrammeTechnology and the Universities. The points are allocated as follows:

LCVP Coordinator: Ms S. McSheffrey