Student Experiences of the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme

LABOUR MARKET OUTCOMES 119Figure 7.11: Occupational Sector of Female School Leavers in EmploymentOne Year After Leaving School (2001-2005 Leavers)100%80%60%40%OtherSkilled semi-skilled manualServiceClericalManagerial/professional20%0%Low Medium-Low Medium-High HighNo Quals Junior Cert LCA LCE/LCVP LCE/LCVP LCE/LCVP LCE/LCVPSource: School Leavers' Surveys 2002-2007.7.2.5 CONSTRUCTION SECTORIn the current economic climate with difficulties facing particular sectors ofthe labour market, it is interesting to focus on employment in constructionand the retail/services industries among male and female school leavers. Asshown in Figure 7.12, a relatively large proportion of males completing theLCA programme subsequently enter employment in the ConstructionIndustry. While those leaving prior to completion of second-level havehigher rates of entry into Construction Industry jobs, the LCA group aremore likely to enter jobs in this sector than any of the Leaving Certificategroups.Over half of the males interviewed worked in construction at the timeof interview with many completing apprenticeships (See Table 7.3),qualified or working in trades since they left the LCA. Many referred to thedownturn in the economy and had concerns about the future of theconstruction sector in particular:It’s just the way with the economic situation now and everything, it’s sort of goingdownhill now you know what I mean.You’ve noticed it in what you’re doing.Oh definitely, yeah. I’m the only apprentice left in [company name] like, downhere, there was about fifteen and they’re all after getting let go, so, it’s not too badlike.So you’ve actually noticed.Yeah, big time, big slowdown now altogether. (Graham, 22, completed LCA,apprentice)