The Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) – Let’s Break it Down!

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Leaving Certificate Vocational ProgrammeThe Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme is provided in many schools across the country, though not all schools provide it, due to reasons of class numbers, location and coordination challenges. We are told that there are over 500 schools offering the programme, which is still a lot. The LCVP offers students a unique opportunity to develop their interpersonal, vocational and technological skills, and experience at first hand the ‘real’ world and what it takes to ‘make a living’ after education is complete.

Benefits of completing the LCVP are many;

  • For CAO purposes, the points achieved in six subjects can be used.
  • It is completed before the June examination
  • Help students choose a their third level course
  • Help students choose their ideal career
  • Develops IT, communication, vocational and writing  skills as well as develop skills in case studies, interview techniques and teamwork, which will be very helpful to students pursuing third level education or those who wish to enter the jobs market after completing their Leaving Certificate.

Students can sit the Leaving Certificate Examination and choose to do the LCVP as an eighth or extra subject. The LCVP course consists of two link modules called ‘Preparation for the World of Work’ and ‘Enterprise Education’.

There are qualification criteria in order to complete the LCVP as well as doing the LCVP itself – two subjects in the Leaving Certificate from any one of specific combinations from subject groups (see further on in article); a language or a language module, Irish subject and a minimum of five Leaving Certificate subjects. Note that some students may be exempt from some languages.

Leaving Cert SubjectsSubject Groups (The Department of Education & Science):

  1. Accounting, Business, Economics (any two)
  2. Art and Accounting or Business or Economics
  3. Biology and Chemistry or Physics
  4. Biology, Home Economics, Agricultural Science  (any two)
  5. Construction Studies or Design & Communication Graphics and Accounting or Business or Economics
  6. Construction Studies or Design & Communication Graphics and Physics
  7. Construction Studies and Design & Communication Graphics
  8. Home Economics and Accounting or Business or Economics
  9. Home Economics and Art
  10. Music and Accounting or Business or Economics
  11. Physics and Chemistry.
  12. Art and Design & Communication Graphics
  13. Agricultural Science and Construction Studies or DCG
  14. Agricultural Science and Chemistry or Physics
  15. Agricultural Science and Accounting or Business or Economics

CAO Points for LCVP are 70 for a Distinction (80-100%), 50 for a Merit (65-79%) and 30 for a Pass (50-64%)

The LCVP course is made up of 60% of portfolio work, completed in fifth year and 40% is a written examination that takes place in May of sixth year.

The LCVP course includes the following (The Department of Education & Science):

  • Presentations from guest speakers from the world of work
  • Visit to places of work locally
  • Team Enterprises
  • Work Experience
  • Using Computer Technology
  • Interview Preparation and Technique
  • Learning how to write up reports and plans
  • Preparing Curriculum Vitae
  • Investigating Careers

The 60% part of LCVP contains (The Department of Education & Science):

  1. Core items (do all four)
    1. Curriculum Vitae
    2. Summary Report (on a visit in/out)
    3. Action Plan – i.e. on learning a new skill or organising an activity
    4. Career Investigation
  1. Optional items (do 2 out of 4)
    1. Recorded Interview – 5 minute interview on DVD
    2. Enterprise Report – e.g. on organising and running a fashion show
    3. Report on ‘My own place’ – i.e. a brief summary of what facilities are available in their local area
    4. Diary of Work Experience – 3/5 days of a work experience placement

The 40% part of the LCVP i.e. the examination incorporates      (The Department of Education & Science):

Section A – Audio Visual Questions:

Students watch a video featuring a business or community enterprise and answer questions on it.

Section B – Case Study:

Students read a short outline of a business or community enterprise and answer questions on it

Section C:

Students answer 4 out of 6 general questions.  Topics here include questions on careers, reports, plans, interview questions, work experience and items that have been written up in their portfolios.

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