Ms Megan Yeates:

To jump in on Ms Leane’s answer, having attended many conferences, both nationally and internationally, what is interesting to note is that when we sit here and talk about the TY and the leaving certificate students, many of the European countries talk about this in respect of primary level students and entering second level. We leave it too late to approach the students. I remember being in fifth year and people had already set their mind on what they were going to do when they left school. If a career guidance or talk was given in sixth year, they were so closed-minded because they had already selected something that might not necessarily have been something that they wanted to do. They had made that decision and did not have to think about it further as they approached the leaving certificate examinations.

As Mr. Twomey said, going into schools and sharing those stories and opportunities sooner rather than later, and targeting students at a younger age, would be a good idea. Students would then have time to do their research and to really and truly think about what they might want to do in further education. That would be of a great benefit to the students.