Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme
Background to the LCVP:
The Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) is an intervention designed to enhance the vocational dimension of the mainstream Leaving Certificate. The programme was introduced in 1994, in response to the challenge placed on Ireland’s education system by a changing work and business environment. The LCVP combines the academic strengths of the mainstream Leaving Certificate with a new and dynamic focus on self-directed learning, innovation and enterprise. This two-year programme is part of an expanded provision that aims to cater for the diversity of participants’ needs at Senior Cycle.
The primary goal of the LCVP is to prepare young people for adult life by ensuring that they are educated in the broadest sense, with an ability to cope and thrive in an environment of rapid change. Participants in the programme are encouraged to develop skills and competencies fundamental to both academic and vocational success. Within the LCVP, students take responsibility for their own learning....& are supported and encouraged in personal initiative-taking, teamwork and self-reliance.
Students are encouraged to:
- be innovative and enterprising
- take responsibility for their own learning
- adapt to changing circumstances
- evaluate data and devise solutions to problems
- communicate their thoughts and ideas effectively
- work with others as part of a team
- investigate and plan career options
- use information and communications technologies
- investigate local business and community enterprises
- learn from their experiences.
These skills and qualities are equally relevant to the needs of students preparing for further education, seeking employment or planning to start their own business.
LCVP STRUCTURE
The Link Modules:
Students who take the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme study two Link Modules =>
- Preparation for the World of Work &
- Enterprise Education
....in addition to their mainstream Leaving Certificate subjects. Students have three LCVP classes per week in 5th Year and two LCVP classes per week in 6th Year.
Link Module I: Preparation for the World of Work =>
Students will:
- research and investigate local employment opportunities
- develop job-seeking skills such as letter writing, CV presentation & interview techniques
- gain valuable practical experience of the world of work
- interview and work shadow a person in a career area that interests them.
Link Module II: Enterprise Education =>
Students will:
- be involved in organising visits to local business and community enterprises
- meet and interview enterprising people on site & in the classroom
- plan and undertake interesting activities that will build self-confidence, creativity & initiative....as well as developing teamwork, communication & computer skills.
Assessment of the Link Modules:
LCVP students follow the same subject syllabi and are assessed in the same way as their peers in the mainstream Leaving Certificate. In addition to this, for the Link Modules, they are assessed by a Written Examination (40%) and by a Portfolio of Coursework (60%).
The Written Examination =>
The Written Examination takes place in May of the Leaving Certificate Year. The examination is of two and a half hours duration and consists of three sections which are outlined below...
The structure of the Written Examination is as follows:
Section A:Audio-Visual Presentation
Section B:Case Study (received in advance by students)
Section C: General Questions (4 out of 6)
The Portfolio of Coursework =>
The Portfolio of Coursework accounts for 60% of the total marks. Students assemble the portfolio over the two years of the programme and it is submitted for assessment in March of the final year. The Portfolioof Coursework and the Written Examination are externally assessed by the Department of Education & Skills.
Portfolio of Coursework....Core Items:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Career Investigation
- Enterprise/Action Plan
- Summary Report
.....Optional Items (any two):
- Diary of Work Experience
- Enterprise Report
- Recorded Interview/Presentation
- Report on My Own Place
Certification:
LCVP students receive the same Certificate as all Leaving Certificate students....however, their Certificate includes an additional statement of the results of the Link Modules.
Grades for the Link Modules are as follows:
Grade
|
Per Cent
|
Distinction Merit Pass
|
80% – 100% 65% – 79% 50% – 64%
|
The Link Modules are recognised for points purposes by the Institutes of Technology and the Universities. The points are allocated as follows:
Grade
|
Universities and Institutes of Technology Award...
|
Distinction Merit Pass
|
66 points 46 points 28 points
|
Programme Coordinator:Miss S. Whelan