​Excellent employment opportunities ahead for students who make the right choice

LIT to make helpdesk available for students who remain undecided

The President of Limerick Institute of Technology, Dr Maria Hinfelaar says that employment prospects for this year’s leaving certificate students will have vastly improved by the time they graduate – but only if they make the right course choice.

Dr Hinfelaar said that with exams for most students finished or nearing an end, the next two weeks will be critical for thousands of them, with the deadline for CAO Change of Mind just a fortnight from today.
The LIT president said that the right course choice could be the difference between a student starting out on a successful career path or being among the 15% or so of students nationally who drop out in their first year of third level studies.   Reducing this figure is essential as it will also relieve an unnecessary cost burden on students and their families, she said.

To assist students who are still undecided, LIT will operate a CAO Advise Helpdesk from Monday the 17th until July 1st.  Students, who need help or advice on any aspect of their choice can contact the helpdesk via email (LITforMe@lit.ie) and they will be given information about any of the LIT Courses or Student support services, general advice on how they should look to make their choices and specific assistance with the CAO process.

The helpdesk service will culminate with an Advice day on campus on Wednesday the 26th of June. Leaving certificate students will be given an opportunity to come to the campus, view the facilities and meet the LIT staff relevant to their queries. The LIT Career Officer will be available for one-to-one sessions. Appointments are to be made through the helpdesk email (LITforMe@lit.ie) as spaces are limited.

LIT has  a very successful  mentoring programme to  support students through the crucial early transition into higher education , with each student having a designated ‘mentor’ from staff who can assist with a range of Institute supports - from financial to accommodation, academic, personal – for those at risk of dropping out. 

The LIT President said that while students should look to careers that suit their natural skillsets certain disciplines need to be closely looked at because of their significant employment potential.
 
“We understand up to 30% of Leaving Cert students on average use the Change of Mind option but we would urge every student over the coming fortnight to have one last think and examine all the options so they are absolutely happy with their CAO choice.  It’s just too important a decision not to think through properly and thoroughly,” she said.

“Despite the economic challenges, Ireland still has one of the biggest gaps in Europe between skills and employers’ needs.  This shows the real employment opportunities that exist and this is an opportunity that this year’s Leaving Cert students should not ignore.

“There are an estimated 4,500 vacancies in ICT.  Unemployment rates for engineers in Ireland are as low as 5%.  The hotel industry is seeking to train approximately 3,000 new people a year due to natural attrition.  The lack of chefs in restaurants is now at crisis point.  The shortage of science graduates has also been well flagged.

“Even in the unexpected area of construction, there would appear to be a skills shortage based on recent statements by the Society of Chartered Surveyors in Ireland who voiced their concern that there is an increasing struggle to find qualified graduate surveyors to fill vacancies. 

“What does all this say except that there are plenty of areas with really strong employment potential in Ireland today?  The key thing is to make the right choice.

“Some of these opportunities are in areas that perhaps this year’s leaving cert students won’t even have considered. They have only a fortnight to get it right but it is enough time for students to make the choice that’s best for them.”

Dr Hinfelaar said that not only does LIT have courses in all these areas and many more but it also boasts an excellent employment record for graduates.  “Our graduate employment rate is up 8% since 2009.  85% of our graduates have secured employment or further study opportunities and 50% of those have managed to secure employment in the Mid-West region.
 
“We also place a big emphasis, through our mentoring system on looking out for students, particularly in first year when the danger of attrition rate is highest.  Students at risk of dropping out are looked out for and given special attention. The independent Trendence EU Student Barometer survey in which LIT students have participated in for several years has found LIT academic staff to be consistently high scoring in providing personal attention and being approachable and helpful to students.  We can do that because while we are a large scale  institute  we have the people and systems in place on a personal level to be able to identify and help those who are struggling.”