The following subjects are offered at Leaving Certificate level:

About the LCVP

The Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) is an intervention designed to enhance the vocational dimension of the Leaving Certificate (established). The programme was introduced in 1994 in response to the challenge placed on Ireland’s education system by a changing work and business environment. The LCVP combines the academic strengths of the Leaving Certificate (established) with a new and dynamic focus on self–directed learning, innovation and enterprise. 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 (VSGs) 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 taking Leaving Certificate Examination from 2004 onwards

•At least five Leaving Certificate subjects plus the Link Modules, one of which must be Irish
•Two of the above subjects must be selected from one of the designated Vocational Subject Groupings
•Two Link Modules: Preparation for the World of Work and Enterprise Education
•A recognised course in a Modern European Language other than Irish or English:
What  is a recognised Modern European language course for LCVP students?
The school has the discretion in this case – there are various options open to students.
They can take a language at Junior Certificate level or they can follow one of the FETAC language modules or the language teacher can devise a school programme in the language.
 Students must take the language class for a minimum of one class period per week or equivalent over the two years of the programme within school time.
Vocational Subject Groupings (VSGs)

Two subjects are selected from one of the Vocational Subject Groupings. These subjects provide students with a focus for developing vocational skills and exploring their career options.

The Specialist Groupings consist of subjects which complement one another naturally. The Services Groupings comprise subjects which complement one another in a commercial context.

(VSGs) 2009/20Vocational Subject Groupings 10
 
Specialist Groupings
 
1 Construction Studies; Engineering; Design and Communication Graphics; Technology  - Any Two
2 Physics and Construction Studies or Engineering or Technology or Design & Communication Graphics
3 Agricultural Science and Construction Studies or Engineering or Technology or Design & Communication Graphics
4 Agricultural Science and Chemistry or Physics or Physics/Chemistry
5 Home Economics; Agricultural Science; Biology - Any Two
6 Home Economics and Art - Design Option or Craft Option
7 Accounting; Business; Economics - Any two 
8 Physics and Chemistry
9 Biology and Chemistry or Physics or Physics/Chemistry
10 Biology and Agricultural Science
11 Art - Design Option or Craft Option and Design & Communication Graphics
Services Groupings
 12 Engineering or Technology or Construction Studies or Design & Communication Graphics and Accounting or Business or Economics
13 Home Economics and Accounting or Business or Economics
14 Agricultural Science and Accounting or Business or Economics
15 Art  Design or Craftwork Option and Accounting or Business or Economics
16 Music and Accounting or Business or Economics
 

 
The Link Modules

Students taking the Leaving Certificate Examination from 2004 onwards 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, initiative and develop teamwork, communication and computer skills.

Typical LCVP Students

Typically, LCVP students take seven Leaving Certificate Subjects plus the Link Modules

Information and Communications Technology

Students taking the LCVP will have an opportunity to develop and apply their IT skills. Students should also have an opportunity to use audio-visual equipment and computer presentation packages for recording and presentation purposes. During the course of the programme students will develop skills to:

•Enter, edit, store, retrieve and print information
•Word process CVs, letters, reports and create illustrated documents
•Send and receive e–mail messages
•Access and use relevant information from CD Roms and the Internet
Teaching and Learning

The use of active teaching and learning methodologies is encouraged across the LCVP curriculum. Experiences such as work placement, career investigation, mini–enterprise, business and community visits are an integral part of the programme. The Link Modules encourage students to apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired through their Vocational Subjects and in other areas of their Leaving Certificate. Vocational relevance is enhanced by putting in place opportunities for students to plan, organise and engage in active learning experiences inside and outside the classroom.

 •Conducting Investigations – businesses, community enterprises, agencies
•Arranging Visits out of school to sites of interest in the context of conducting investigations
•Inviting Visitors to the classroom -adults other than teachers as resource visitors
•Working in Teams – on projects and investigations
•Organising Enterprise Activities – setting up projects as vehicles of learning
•Actively preparing for work – career investigation, job search, practice at interviews
•Experiencing the world of work, work experience, work simulation, work shadowing
•Making presentations to adults and peers
•Using Information and Communications Technology – to access, store, communicate and present information
Assessment of the Link Modules

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 written examination takes place in May of the Leaving Certificate Year.  The examination is of two and a half hours duration and consists of three sections which are outline 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 assemble 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 & Science.

LINK MODULES - PORTFOLIO OF COURSEWORK
 
CORE ITEMS
 
Curriculum Vitae
Career Investigation
Enterprise/Action Plan
Summary Report

OPTIONAL ITEMS (any two)

Diary of Work Experience
Enterprise Report
Recorded Interview/Presentation
Report on My Own Place
 

Certification

LCVP students receive the same certificate as other Leaving Certificate students but their Certificate includes an additional statement of the results of the Link Modules.

Grades for the Link Modules are as follows:
 
Distinction  80% - 100%
Merit            65% -  79%  
Pass             50% -  64%

            

The Link Modules are recognised for points purposes by the Institutes of Technology and the Universities. The points are allocated as follows:
 
Distinction 70 points
Merit         50 points
Pass          30 points
 

CHECK LIST FOR CV

 Have you updated your CV if it is sometime since you first prepared it?
 Is your CV word processed?
 Have you used the same font throughout?
 Have you corrected any spelling and grammar errors?
 Does your CV fit onto two A4 pages?
 Have you checked the layout and presentation of your CV?
 Have you been consistent in your use of capitals, underlining, punctuation, tabulation, bold and italics?
 Does your CV include 4 Personal Items?
 Have you signed your CV with a pen?
 Have you stated three of your Skills in a written statement?
 Have you stated three of your Qualities in a written statement?
 Did you include your Educational Qualifications?
 For your Junior Certificate did you state: the year of exam, the subjects, levels and grades you received?
 For your Leaving Certificate have you listed: the year of the exam, the subjects and levels you are taking?
 Did you include Link Modules (NOT LCVP)?
 Under the heading Work Experience have you included: the date of the work experience?  your employer’s name and address? the duties you carried out?
 Have you listed your achievements/interests/hobbies giving at least one of each?
 Did you give the names of two referees?
 Did you state the position of each referee in the organisation?
 Did you state the address and telephone number of the organisation?

 Career Investigation of: …….
Submitted by: 
Description:
Describe the career concisely and accurately. 
Outline three responsibilities/duties/tasks that have to be performed. 
 Skills and Qualities:
What are the most essential skills needed for the job? 
(computer skills, communication skills, creative skills, organisational skills, etc)
What are the most essential personal qualities/attributes that a person should have for this career?
(motivation, people person, team player, attention to detail, honest, empathetic, leadership, able to delegate, creative, diligent, hardworking, energetic, fitness, etc)
Qualifications and Training Required:
State how many avenues there are for getting the qualification or training. Outline two pathways using the following headings.
Institution: give the name and address of the institution: University, private third level institution etc
Basic Entry Requirements:  Grade D in honours math etc
Admission Process:  Interview, Aptitude test, Third level points etc
Course Duration:  2 years, full-time/part-time
Certification Authority/Qualification Obtained:  Fás, PLC (FETAC), NUI, etc Certificate, Diploma, Degree etc
Institution: give the name and address of the institution: IT, University, private third level institution etc
 

Evaluation of my selected Career in light of my personal aptitude, interests, and choice of Leaving Certificate subjects:
• What do you have an aptitude for
• what are you good at? 
• Did you do an aptitude test and what did it indicate?
• Does it correspond with what is required for this career?
 What are you interested in? 
• What work do you enjoy? 
• Was there any aspect of work experience/summer work/work shadowing/work at home that you liked?
•  Is there an individual in a particular career that you admire/see as a role model/would like to achieve the same success as?
• How do these interests tie in with the career being investigated?
 Leaving Certificate subjects
• Outline two subjects you are studying at leaving cert that are most relevant to this career being investigated. 
• Say how they are relevant to this career.
•  Identify what skills/knowledge have learned in your subjects and how that can be applied in your chosen career.
 
Out of Class Learning Experience:
(Interact with adults other than teachers in a relevant out of class learning experience)  Did you do work experience/work shadowing/interview someone in the career/summer work/work at home, in community/ mock interview? 
What was your role? 
What did you discover about the career? 
What did you like about the job? 
What did you dislike? 
How did the experience influence you decision about the career being investigated?
 

Evaluation of Career Investigation:
Insight gained:
Having completed this career investigation, I believe that I will/will not pursue a career in…
Insights I gained: ….
This investigation has taught me ……
Without carrying out this career investigation I would not have learned that…
This investigation has helped me to evaluate my own skills and aptitudes because I discovered that I….I learned how essential work experience/work shadowing is to a career investigation because while on work experience/work shadowing I discovered that………Although I have decided that I will not pursue a career in….I know how to investigate any career comprehensively
Skills developed:
This Career Investigation has helped to expand my skills in …….research, analysis, reporting, Information technology, communication etc. elaborate  
Sources of information: Websites/books
     

 LCVP LINK MODULES

The Written Examination will take place on Wednesday  

Read a copy of your Portfolio of coursework, as it is an excellent revision tool for the written paper.  Read the Portfolio the night before the examination and if you have the opportunity, skim read the portfolio on the morning of the examination.  Ensure that you are familiar with the content and layout of all portfolio items.  Remember approximately 16,000 students will sit the LCVP examination this year.  To achieve a distinction can be difficult, so it’s extremely important to revise and prepare adequately for the Assessment. On average 81% of students use their LCVP as their sixth subject for CAO points.  Ensure to practice questions, be aware of the marking schemes on examinations.ie.  Ensure that you do not repeat points. Also the State Examinations Commission has published the Chief Examiners Report on the LCVP for 2010. Log on to  www.examinations.ie  This report provides excellent information and statistics that can help improve results and highlighting frequent mistakes. Recommendations are set out for both teachers and students.
When answering questions on activities in the written paper, ensure to follow a logical sequence, in particular for activities. Use the Learning cycle approach (Pre-experience, Experience and Post-experience) and articulate the knowledge and skills gained.  Students need to ensure that they are familiar with all the Specific learning outcomes.  Interestingly there are 93 Specific Learning outcomes.  However quite a number of them are repeated throughout the syllabus, e.g. ‘ Link the learning to Leaving Certificate subjects’, ‘evaluate activities’ , ‘planning ‘, ‘Report writing’ and ‘invite a visitor to the classroom’.

The written examination, which is offered at common level is worth 40% and is marked out of a total of 160 marks.   Practice past exam questions.
The Written Examination is of two and a half hours duration, comprises of three
sections as follows:.

• Section A : Audio Visual (30 marks), profiling a business or community
enterprise or organisation. The six minute DVD is shown at the
beginning of the examination. Students answer eight questions.
Remember you are assessed on :
 What you see
 What you hear
 Apply your LCVP Knowledge, learning and skills
Read the questions carefully before the DVD commences and underline the main parts.  Ensure to take notes on the rough work sheet on the inside cover of the answer booklet.  Remember the last few questions carry a substantial amount of the marks.  In fact Question 7 and Question 8 are worth 12 marks.  Therefore they require detail, ensuring to elaborate and always give examples if appropriate.  Ensure not to use repetition of points.

• Section B (30 marks) This comprises of a Case Study covering topics such as a profile of an entrepreneur; a business/community/voluntary organisation; an overview of a local area; a social or economic issue.
The Case Study for 2010: ‘Sweet dreams for Sara’, has been sent to all schools.  Students must have an in-depth understanding of all aspects.  A mind map is available on www.pdst.ie and click on Business and Enterprise, which includes LCVP.  Also download the past examination papers and solutions.   Why not draft your own mind map and use the case to revise the course by asking relevant questions.  The case study can be a vehicle to revise all the specific learning outcomes.( SLO’s.).  Students are required to answer three questions. Last year, the three questions had more parts to them. with two to three subdivisions in each. Question 1 is followed by i) and ii), similarly Question 2 i) and ii) and Question 3 i), ii) and iii).

Read the questions carefully. Stop and think.  Underline the important parts.  Students must give details and always elaborate.  Students are advised to spend 25 minutes on the Case study.
Section A and Section B are compulsory, which means you must answer the Audio visual and Case Study questions.

• Section C (100 marks): There are six multi-part general questions covering the
full range of the syllabus. Students are required to answer four questions.  To assist in choosing questions the exam paper has a summary and index of questions.  Your choice of questions are vital.  Choose the questions which can deliver the most marks for you.  Ensure you can answer all parts. Take account of mark allocations for questions and parts of questions and plan the use of time accordingly.

A student must pay particular attention to timing. It’s important not to spend too much time on one part of the question. It is recommended that you allow approximately 23 minutes per question. 
If you find yourself going over the time, it would be advisable to leave it and move onto the next question. If there’s time at the end of the examination you can always return to it.
Always State your answer, explain your answer, at least two different points and give an example supporting your answer. Don’t leave blank spaces, ensure to attempt all parts of the four questions.
When revising or practicing exam questions use Venn diagrams to practice compare and contrast type questions or explain the similarities and differences or distinguish between two concepts

Compare / similarities - what is common to both
Contrast / differences / distinguish - what is unique to each
Ensure you understand the difference between terms like State,  Explain, Outline, Describe, Analyse, Discuss, Evaluate, Illustrate.
• State simply means to say briefly or define what a term means.
• If explaining ask yourself ‘would another person understand this concept /idea / term  now that I have explained it. Have I made it clear?’
• To outline means to give a complete overview – so you need to cover the entire concept. This is why a brief outline is often asked for.
• Analysing means you break something down into its constituent parts.
• To describe something is like drawing a picture with words.
• A discussion looks at something from a number of sides or from a number of points of view.
• To evaluate something means to make a judgment on it. Make sure that your judgment is informed i.e. you must be able to back it up with evidence. Ensure that you give advantages, benefits, disadvantages, risks. 
• To illustrate means to show and give examples.

Breakdown of some themes of the LCVP, however ensure to revise all elements of the LCVP
• Planning is an integral part of the LCVP.  Ensure to cover all areas of Planning.  Define planning, Why Plan?, The advantages and challenges of a plan.  Can you draft a Business plan? What are the main headings.  Can you draft an Enterprise/ Action Plan.
• Evaluation is also an integral part of the LCVP.  Ensure to answer questions carefully. Why evaluate?, The advantages and challenges of Evaluating. How to evaluate? Advantages and disadvantages of methods.
When evaluating use the DAR approach.
Note: only use mnemonics if they suit your learning style.
Describe: Reflect on the experience, What happened?, What did you do? Did you meet your objectives?
Assess: Think back on the experience, what went well?, what did not work? Was it useful? What subjects were useful? What about teamwork?
Recommend: What would you recommend for future activities? Are there any follow on activities.
• Skills: Ensure students can articulate skills they developed.  The  following  are skills the student developed as they participated in the LCVP:
Communication Skills:
  Contacting and making arrangements with LCVP speakers, organisations and work placements
  Briefing all of the above
  Managing / Leading people
  Making Presentations/ role-play in the Link Modules Classroom
       and to outside Organisations/Agencies
  Sending ‘thank you’ letters, emails, Phone calls etc
  Ensuring other students are interested / involved in activities and Portfolio items
  Introducing, listening and summarising Link Modules activities
  Share information and work cooperatively Chairing meetings, or participating in other roles
Team Work Skills:

  Group activities, e.g. Team Enterprise, My Own Place investigation,
  Taking responsibility
  Seeking help when required from Link Modules Teacher and other adults
  I meet my own objectives and help others to meet theirs
  Listening to others
  Assess the effectiveness of the Team, see how it can be improved
  Resolve problem situations, avoid apportioning blame, use negotiation techniques to support others
        members to learn from our mistakes
  Discussion, group disagreements norming, forming and performing
Organisation Skills:
  Decide who does what
  Setting up room for LCVP Visitor, preparing for work placement
  Obtaining and collecting permission slips for outside visits
  Making time arrangements and finalising administration and room
  Organising meetings, visits out and visits in
Research Skills:
  Organising material and designing questionnaires
  Gathering information
  Reading, summarising and analysing information
  Identifying sources
  Analysis of information and evaluation
Administrative Skills
  Writing letters, emails, plans and reports
  Word processing
  Keeping records
  Telephoning, letter writing and emailing
Presentation Skills:
  Structuring material
  Using visual stimulus to enhance Presentations
  Deciding on ‘what and how to say it’
  Argue and debate points
  Public speaking
Information Technology Skills:
  Emailing
  Sourcing and using websites i.e.  www.pdst.ie
  Using camera and video i.e. Recorded Interview
  Word processing
  Editing materials/ Portfolio Items
  Knowledge of computer packages
  Accurate key board skills
Skills of Analysis:

  Presenting facts from researching Link Modules
  Preparing summaries, tables and diagrams for LCVP Reports
  Understanding material and information
  Solving problems in your own way
  Identifying other points of view

Remember that the LCVP has two link Modules, Pre[parathion for the World of Work and Enterprise Education.
Preparation for the World of Work.  This module is designed to develop a student’s understanding of the world of work, looking at their own area, employment, unemployment and voluntary work.
Enterprise Education.  This module introduces Enterprise and Entrepreneurship.  Experiencing what is involved in setting up and running an enterprise.  Also introducing Voluntary Organisations and finally run an Enterprise activity.

Review the legislation.
There are three specific pieces of legislation on the syllabus
1. Safety, Health and Welfare at work Act
2. The Employment Equality Act
3. The protection of Young Persons Act

Some LCVP Activities:
The LCVP is an activity based programme. Ensure you are aware of  activities:
 Visit to a Training Scheme
 My Own place Investigation
 Simulated Job Interviews
 Career Investigations
 Work Placements
 Presentations/interviews
 Local business investigations
 Visit out/Visit in
 Voluntary organisation investigations
 Use of ICT
 An Enterprise Activity.

Final Tips
• Read  questions carefully and correctly
Common mistakes and can lead to misinterpreting the question.
The following are examples:
Is the question on a Visit in or a Visit out?
Are you asked to evaluate the organising of an event or evaluate the organisation?
Are you evaluating the Career or the Activity itself , i.e. the Career Investigation?
Why is it important to evaluate an activity v evaluating an activity.
Work Experience v Work placement.
Ensuring you know the differences between Strengths and Weaknesses v Opportunities and Threats.  Ensure you can draft a SWOT analysis for an Entrepreneur, Business or Voluntary organisation that you studied.
What makes an Activity successful v discussing the Activity.
The role of the  Entrepreneur v the role of the manager.
How to improve on a skill rather than describing the skill.
Entrepreneur skills v qualities v characteristics.
Personal risks v Business risks when establishing a Business.
Business Plan v Enterprise/Action Plan.
Obligations of an Employer v Obligations of an Employee.
What makes a business successful v measuring the success of a Business?

• Be aware of all the 93 Specific learning outcomes
• Revise your Portfolio as this is an excellent revision tool and refer to the learning, skills and knowledge
• Always State, Explain, at least two different points and give an example
• Students need to analysis and evaluate.
• Use the published marking scheme as a resource and a guide when preparing for
the Written Examination. These are available at the State Examinations
Commission website www.examinations.ie

 Mind Map 2010