The LCVP is similar to a standard Leaving Certificate but with a strengthened vocational dimension.
Vocational refers to the development of a range of skills which can be used in a broad range of situations/jobs.
Some of these skills include:
- · Team/Group Working
- · Critical Thinking
- · Flexibility
- · Leadership
- · Communication
- · Basic Skills (Including IT)
- · Motivation to Learn
- · Initiative and Enterprise
These skills are equally relevant to young people progressing to further study, working for themselves or going directly into employment.
The LCVP comprises two modules:
1. Enterprise Education
2. Preparation for the World of Work
These two modules are covered in three classes per week. Apart from this, students study in the same classes as their peers. Students should choose their subjects based on their intended career and then see if these fit into the subject groupings for LCVP.
In order to study the Leaving Cert Vocational Programme students’ subjects must include a Modern European Language and two subjects from the Vocational Subject Grouping.
Any student with exemptions from languages must take part in a basic Modern European language course which is given in one class per week for the two senior cycle years.
The Link Modules are graded on both a written exam (May of Leaving Cert Year) and a Portfolio of Coursework which is written over the two years.
Written exam: 40%
Portfolio: 60%
The Link Modules grading system:
| Grade | Percentage | ||
| Distinction | 80% – 100% | ||
| Merit | 65% – 79% | ||
| Pass | 50% – 64% |
Vocational Subject Groupings
In order to be eligible for the LCVP, students must choose two subjects from one of the numbered options below
1. Physics and Chemistry
2. Biology and Chemistry
3. Biology and Physics
4. Home Economics and Biology
5. Home Economics and Art
6. Home Economics and Accounting
7. Home Economics and Business
8. Home Economics and Economics
9. Accounting or Business or Economics (any two)
10. Art and Accounting
11. Art and Economics
12. Music and Business
13. Music and Accounting
14. Music and Economics
15. Ag Science and Biology or Chemistry
16. Ag Science and Home Economics
17. Ag Science and Accounting or Business or Economics
Subjects must be chosen as they are grouped together on the list above. You cannot mix the subject groups.