Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

What Ms Sheridan O'Callaghan just said is very succinct in some ways. Talking to a stranger is an artificial situation. If the oral exam was held with five or six people, together with an examiner, and with a conversation that is bouncing back and forth, it might be easier to make people more comfortable and more aware. On a further point, when a student goes to college, nowadays there is often group work involved.

However, there is no reflection of group work in the leaving certificate. The closest thing would be some of the project work or practical work that students do on their own. However, they do not have time to bounce ideas off their teachers and classmates.

On the point Mr. Ahern made about the CAO and apprenticeships, it would be interesting if they could play a greater role. Are there any other options that could be used to try to expand students' awareness and also the public's appreciation of apprenticeships? Mr. Ahern was correct that the first question people ask students is what college they intend going to. Society and the economy will not survive without the skills of electricians, carpenters and so on. These skills are not as appreciated as they were in the past. Even simple courses than can be done as apprenticeships, for example, courses for technicians, are needed now more than ever to keep the wheels of the economy turning. Despite this, most people seem to want to go to college or university. That might not be the best option for them but it is what they are geared towards. Perhaps our guests can figure out or already have some ideas about what else we can do as regards other options.