Ms Clare Austick:

I thank the Chairman. It comes down to the attitude and mindset we have in respect of education. We have to move towards a culture shift in terms of how we view education and different opportunities for students and people of all ages to engage in life-long learning. It is particularly important that when guidance counselling sessions are offered to leaving certificate students, different options are presented to them. Post-leaving certificate, PLC, courses, apprenticeships, taking a year out for personal development or entrance into the workforce should all be seen as valid and equal options, rather than just an add-on or a default if the student does not get into the course he or she wants. It has to start with attitude change and a culture shift that it is to be hoped we can perpetrate. Many students do not wish to go immediately or at all into college after the leaving certificate but there is often a societal pressure placed on them by family members and peers to enter college. It is about trying to make education accessible at all stages of life. If a person wishes to go into the workforce for ten years and then go to third level education, or take a year out and then do an apprenticeship, that should be recognised as being valid and okay. It is about recognising that everyone has different strengths, interests and ambitions in life. It comes down to the options presented to people during guidance counselling sessions at leaving certificate level but also that we as a society see them all as equal, recognise they all have a place in our society and that one is not better than another. We need to ensure there is not a hierarchy in terms of educational pathways.