Student Experiences of the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme

118 ENGAGING YOUNG PEOPLE?Conversely, LCA leavers have relatively low levels of participation in bothmanagerial (4 per cent) and clerical jobs (10 per cent), sectors which higherperforming LCE/LCVP leavers enter more frequently. In total, 42 per centof LCA leavers enter jobs in the services sector, a pattern which issomewhat distinct to that for the early leaver groups and relativelycomparable to all of the LCE/LCVP groups.As expected, patterns differ strongly for males and females, particularlyfor the LCA group (Figures 7.10 and 7.11). While less than 20 per cent ofmales completing the LCA subsequently enter employment in the servicessector, over two-thirds of their female counterparts do so. Conversely,while nearly 60 per cent of LCA males enter skilled or semi-skilled manualemployment, less than 10 per cent of females completing this programmeenter employment in this sector.When we look across all leaver groups it appears the employmentpatterns for males completing the LCA programme fall somewherebetween the patterns for the Junior Certificate and lowest performingLCE/LCVP groups. In the case of female leavers from the LCA, theirpatterns of employment are virtually identical to those emerging for thelowest performing LCE/LCVP group. Over two-thirds of this group areemployed in the services sector, 13 per cent are employed in clerical jobs,10 per cent in skilled and semi-skilled manual jobs and 7 per cent inmanagerial positions.Figure 7.10: Occupational Sector of Male School Leavers in Employment OneYear After Leaving School (2001-2005 Leavers)100%80%60%40%OtherSkilled semi-skilled manualServiceClericalManagerial/professional20%0%LowMedium-LowMedium-HighHighNo Quals Junior Cert LCA LCE/LCVP LCE/LCVPLCE/LCVPLCE/LCVPSource: School Leavers' Surveys 2002-2007.