Student Experiences of the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme

LABOUR MARKET OUTCOMES 1277.5SatisfactionWithEconomicSituationAfter LeavingSchoolFinally, school leavers were asked to assess whether they are satisfied withtheir economic situation at the time of the survey, typically two years afterleaving school. Over three-quarters of LCA leavers are satisfied with theireconomic situation, largely on a par with those completing the establishedor LCVP programmes. It is interesting to note that females who completedthe LCA programme are somewhat less satisfied than their malecounterparts, which may relate to their higher unemployment levels asdiscussed earlier. While 81 per cent of males indicate that they are generallysatisfied with their current economic situation, just 73 per cent of femalescompleting the LCA programme are similarly satisfied.Figure 7.16: Percentage Satisfied With their Current Economic Situation (2Years After Leaving School – 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2005Leavers)90807060%5040TotalMalesFemales3020100LowMedium-Low Medium-High HighNo Quals Junior Cert LCA LCE/LCVP LCE/LCVP LCE/LCVP LCE/LCVPSource: School Leavers' Surveys 2002-2007.7.6ConclusionsYoung people leaving the LCA programme display high levels ofprogression into the labour market, probably not surprising given theobjectives of the programme and the focus on developing labour marketskills. However, this is of some concern as the programme seems to bechannelling these young people away from further study. Furthermore,while the programme is focused on labour market preparation, largeproportions of young people leaving the LCA programme face difficultyintegrating into the labour market. Their unemployment levels are higherthan for any of the LCE/LCVP performance groups, for example. Theemployment patterns of LCA leavers to a large extent resemble those ofthe lowest performing LCE/LCVP group – in terms of occupational sectorand industrial group for example. However, LCA leavers are somewhatexposed in the current climate with large proportions of males traditionallyentering construction sector employment and their female counterpartshighly concentrated in retail sector positions, sectors bearing the brunt ofthe current downturn.