Student Experiences of the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme

14 ENGAGING YOUNG PEOPLE?2.6Limitationsof the StudyThis report presents the first systematic study of student experiences ofLCA, exploring their entry into the programme, their experiences of theprogramme, and the outcomes for LCA graduates. The authorsacknowledge that this study does not attempt to represent the perspectivesof school principals, teachers, guidance counsellors, parents or employers.Further research examining teacher views of the programme and itsrecognition by the broader society (especially employers and parents) wouldyield additional insights for policy development (see Chapter 9).Table 2.1: Summary of Interviewee CharacteristicsName CompletedLCASchool Sector Location Status at the Timeof Interview, 2008Alice Yes Girls Secondary Midlands Home DutiesAndrew Yes Coed Comm/Comp DEIS Dublin ApprenticeshipAnne Yes Coed Secondary West EmployedAoibhin Yes Girls’ Secondary North UnemployedBarbara Yes Coed Comm/Comp DEIS Mideast EmployedDavid Yes Coed Vocational DEIS West EmployedDeirdre Yes Coed Vocational Mideast UnemployedDerek Yes Boys’ Vocational DEIS West EmployedDonal No Coed Comm/Comp West ApprenticeshipGarry No Coed Comm/Comp Southwest EmployedGraham Yes Coed Comm/Comp Southwest ApprenticeshipJack No Boys’ Secondary Southeast ApprenticeshipJackie Yes Coed Vocational DEIS North Home DutiesJohnny Yes Coed Vocational Midlands EmployedJustin Yes Coed Secondary DEIS West EmployedLinda Yes Coed Secondary Midlands StudentFiona Yes Girls’ Secondary West EmployedMary Yes Girls’ Secondary Southwest Home DutiesMaura Yes Coed Special School Southwest EmployedMaurice Yes Coed Comm/Comp DEIS Dublin StudentNiamh Yes Girls’ Secondary Dublin EmployedRebecca No Coed Comm/Comp DEIS Dublin Home DutiesRonan Yes Coed Secondary Mideast ApprenticeshipRoy No Coed Comm/Comp DEIS Mideast UnemployedSandra Yes Coed Vocational Midlands Home DutiesSarah Yes Girls’ Secondary Southwest EmployedSiobhan Yes Coed Secondary West EmployedTim Yes Coed Comm/Comp Midlands UnemployedZoe No Coed Comm/Comp DEIS Dublin UnemployedData for this study was largely collected during a period of economicboom in the Irish economy. We acknowledge these conditions impacted onLCA participation, work experience, access to post-school education (suchas apprenticeships), and employer engagement with the programme. Thepossible implications of changing economic conditions for the programmeare discussed further in Chapter 9.