St Oliver’s C.C. – Leaving Certificate Applied

Vocational Preparation & Guidance

Course Overview

Aims & Rationale

The aim of the Vocational Preparation & Guidance (VPG) course in St. Oliver’s Community College is to prepare the students for the world of work so that they can become productive and competent members of the working world. The school aims to assist the students in reaching their full potential by recognising their personal skills and characteristics in order to identify an individual career path. The programme also aspires to make students aware of other business models and organisations in the community and voluntary sector.

This is achieved by developing the technical skills needed to identify job opportunities and the personal and professional skills expected of a student to be a productive member of the workplace. We also make them aware of the various business models that exist and the benefits of these different models. The aims are further realised by reflection on their work experience placement, sites visits, invited guests and speakers and through participation in the Business in the Community Programme with Irish Cement.

Time Allocation

VPG is delivered throughout 5th and 6th year of the Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) Programme. The course is allocated 3 class periods in 5th year and 3 class periods in 6th year.

Assessment

In VPG, students are assessed in two general areas – VPG class work and work experience. With regards to VPG class work, students receive credits through the successful completion of key assignments and achieving a minimum of 90% attendance. With regards to work experience, students are assessed on the successful completion of their work experience portfolio as well as a feedback report from the work experience contact at the end of each session.

Task

Students complete an enterprise task in session 2. Students have two options in relation to the enterprise task. Students may, either in a group or individually, run an enterprise/event. The other option available to them is to complete an investigation into an enterprise. Students submit a task report that is assessed by external examiner. Students also complete an interview on their enterprise task for which they are graded.

Special Projects – Business in the Community (Irish Cement)

The Businees in the Community programme aims to positively impact on educational inclusion and address key issues in areas of educational inclusion in Ireland. The programme does this by matching one school with a large local business and engaging in various programmes. SOCC is twinned with Irish Cement who delivers six sessions with the students includeing CV preparation, interview skills and sites visits. Irish Cement

Resources

The resources available to the VPG teaching team include:

  • Vocational Training & Guidance Module Descriptor (LCA/SLSS)
  • Get Your Ideal Job – Job-seeking Skills Workbook for Students, S. McEvoy (Publisher: Gill & MacMillan)
  • Work Experience Work Book (Publisher: Curriculum Development Centre)
  • The World of Work, K. O’Brien (Publisher: Gill & MacMillan)
  • Link Modules – LCVP (Publisher: CJ Fallon)
  • LCVP Text and Activities, M. Hannon (Publisher: EEC Direct)
  • Appropriate web resources including, but not limited to;

Modules

VPG comprises seven modules:

  • Module 1 – Guidance
  • Module 2 – Jobsearch
  • Module 3 – Work Experience 1
  • Module 4 – Work Experience 2, 3 & 4
  • Module 5 – Enterprise
  • Module 6 – Community work
  • Module 7 – Work and Living