LCVP is a Senior Cycle Programme of the Department of Education and Skills, designed to give a strong vocational dimension to the Leaving Certificate (established). The programme combines the virtues of academic study with a new and dynamic focus on self-directed learning, enterprise, work and the community. Young people taking the LCVP have a unique opportunity to develop their interpersonal, vocational and technological skills. These skills are equally relevant to the needs of those preparing for further education, seeking employment or planning to commence their own business sometime in the future.
About the LCVP
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.
Throughout the programme 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 businesses and community enterprises
- Learn from their experiences
These skills and qualities are equally relevant to the needs of those preparing for further education, seeking employment or planning to start their own business.The strong vocational focus of the LCVP is achieved by arranging Leaving Certificate subjects into Vocational Subject Groupings (VSG) and through the provision of additional courses of study in work preparation and enterprise known as the Link Modules.
Programme Requirements
Programme Requirements for students:
- At least five Leaving Certificate subjects, one of which must be Irish plus the Link Modules
- Link Modules: Preparation for the World of Work and Enterprise Education ( in addition to Five subjects)
If a student is exempt from Irish for the Leaving Certificate they must still comply with the requirement to present a minimum of five subjects in the Leaving Certificate.
The Link Modules
Students taking the Leaving Certificate Examination will follow two Link Modules over the course of the two years.
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 and in the classroom; plan and undertake interesting activities that will build self–confidence, creativity, and initiative and develop teamwork, communication and computer skills.
Assessment
LCVP students follow the same subject syllabi and are assessed in the same way as their peers in the Leaving Certificate. For the Link Modules they are assessed by Written Examination (40%) and by Portfolio of Coursework (60%).
The Portfolio of coursework must be submitted on the first Wednesday in March. The written examination takes place the first Wednesday in May of the Leaving Cert Year. The examination is 2½ 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 accounts for 60% of total marks. Students compile the portfolio over the two years of the programme and it is assessed at the end of the final year of the Leaving Certificate. The Portfolio and Written Examination are externally assessed by the Department of Education & Skills.
Core Items:
- Curriculum Vitae ( CV)
- Career Investigation
- enterprise/Action Plan
- Summary Report
Optional Items (any two)
- Diary of Work Experience
- Diary of Work Experience
- Enterprise Report
- Recorded Interview/Presentation
- Report on My Own Place
Over 15,600 students participate each year and over 80 % of students use their LCVP as their best sixth subject for points.
The programme sets out to recognise the talents of all students and to provide opportunities for developing personal responsibility, self-esteem and self-knowledge. The programme focuses on the talents of each student and helps students apply what they learn to the real world.
The two-year programme consists of four half-year blocks called sessions. Achievements are credited in each session
Courses are offered in three main areas:
- Vocational preparation, involving work experience, enterprise and communication
- General education, offering life-skills, the arts, social education, leisure and language
- Vocational education.
A student who has been awarded the Leaving Certificate Applied can go on to a very wide range of Post-Leaving Certificate courses (PLCs). These are available in local post-primary schools and colleges. Completing these courses will allow a student to progress to third level Institutes of Technology
