Evaluating Post Leaving Certificate Provision in Ireland

Authors

  • Seamus McGuinness Economic and Social Research Institute, Trinity College Dublin and IZA – Institute of Labor Economics, Bonn
  • Adele Bergin Economic and Social Research Institute, Trinity College Dublin and IZA – Institute of Labor Economics, Bonn
  • Elish Kelly Economic and Social Research Institute and Trinity College Dublin
  • Selina McCoy Economic and Social Research Institute and Trinity College Dublin
  • Emer Smyth Economic and Social Research Institute and Trinity College Dublin
  • Adele Whelan Economic and Social Research Institute and Trinity College Dublin

Abstract

This paper summarises the key findings of an evaluation of the Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) Programme, the largest full-time further education (post-secondary non-tertiary) programme in Ireland. This programme has multiple purposes – preparing people for employment, acting as a bridge to higher education and serving as a second-chance route for adult learners. Based on evidence from both administrative data and a unique specially-designed learner survey, we find positive results for the estimated counterfactual impact of PLC provision on employment at 16 per cent relative to similar individuals who entered the labour market directly on completion of their (upper secondary) Leaving Certificate, with a corresponding positive estimate for transitions to higher education standing at 27 per cent. Nevertheless, the evaluation found that PLC courses were often poorly connected to the labour market and that reforms could further improve the labour market prospects of leavers.

Downloads

Published

30-09-2019

Issue

Vol. 50 No. 3, Autumn (2019)

Section

Policy Section Articles