The CAO process

Career Guidance Overview Breifne College

The History of the C.A.O.  

1977, 5 Colleges with 69 courses. 2009, 43 colleges with 581 degree and 350 cert/ordinary degree courses.

The Choosing a Course  

Course Choice Think about:   

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Skills Interest Career

Informed decisions ensure right results

Sources of Information 

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CAO Handbook warning. Publications. Guidance Counsellors/teachers. Current students/graduates/people doing that job. Open days - College visits. Parents/older siblings. Internet & General Media.

Points 

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Realistic Expectations (8% > 500 points, average = 310 points)

C.A.O.        

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CAO Application Timetable EU Closing Date - 1st February (paper or on-line). Demo on CAO web site - www.cao.ie 2 lists of 10 choices - level 8 and level 6/7 Restricted Application courses Strict order of preference Study ALL preferences carefully Late Closing Date - 1st May Check Application Record Change-of-Mind 1st July (on-line)

Making a C.A.O. Application

Points to Note 

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Select in order of preference not points. Once you have the points for a particular course all courses below are deleted. You then have to pick between your level 8 or 6 and 7 courses. You may move up your list if points drop in round two or your points increase on a recheck of papers

Tips for Success!! 

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Research course choices well Attendance and follow-up work Active in clubs and/or societies - meet new friends Seek support and advice early if necessary Try to get the BALANCE right Approx 5,000 re-applications to CAO

Alternative Entry Routes 

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UCAS PLC’s Apprenticeships

UCAS 

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The UK version of the CAO Closing Dates: 1st October for Medical Courses and 1st January for all other courses. Differences from the CAO   

Personal Statement Subjects Apply for 6 courses and then choose from successful applications.

PLC’s 

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Irish Colleges that don’t fall under the CAO umbrella. You have to apply to each college directly. Offer some very artistic courses: 

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Ballyfermot or Dun Laoghaire

Allows re-entry into the CAO system. Courses vary in quality.

Questions to Ask 

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What does the average student do after they finish the course. Does it have links in order to get me to degree level. Does this take course me to where I want to go.

Types of Post Leaving Cert Courses 

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Media/Drama Outdoor & Animals Performing Arts Social Care & Childcare Travel & Tourism Science & Technology

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Art and Design Adventure Sports Beauty Therapy Business Computing Engineering Leisure and Recreation

National Qualifications Framework

National Qualifications Framework 1: Primary Certificate 2: Primary Certificate 3: Junior Certificate 4: Leaving Certificate 5: Leaving Certificate and FETAC Qualifications 6: Higher Certificate: (HETAC, FETAC and I.T.’s) 7: Ordinary Batchelor Degree 8: Higher Batchelor Degree and H. Dip’s 9: Masters Degree 10: Doctoral Degree

THE ‘LADDER’ SYSTEM THIRD LEVEL EDUCATION IN IRELAND 6+ 5

Post Grad

4

Degree

Honours Degree

3

FETAC

Ordinary Degree

2

6

1

FETAC

Higher Certificate

Post Grad

Degree 3 -6 years

5

No. of

Further

Years

Education

Institutes of Technology

University

Apprenticeships 

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Many Apprenticeships Offered. Seven Phases: Four “on the job” phases and three college phases. The key to getting an apprenticeship is getting a contact.

Conclusion 

Choose courses that accommodate:   

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Skills Interest Career

Research is the key to good course selection.