Within the workforce, young PLC leavers tend to earn more than Leaving Certificate leavers, while compared to Leaving Certificate students leaving school, those who participate in PLC courses are less likely to be unemployed one year on from leaving their PLC course.

Because of its value, the Department of Education and Science is committed to developing the PLC sector . . .

and its past record shows that there has been a significant commitment to PLC in recent years. Indeed, the Department increased the number of PLC places by 60% since 1996/97, while a Department spokesperson stated that government commitment to the PLC sector, (in term of the resources applied in teachers' pay, student support, non-pay running costs and certification) is very significant.

For example, teachers' pay for the PLC sector will exceed 100m, while, on the student side, nearly 8,000 PLC grant holders in 2005 received some 23 million in direct support. Other developments funded by the Department of direct benefit to the PLC sector include the provision of national certification by FETAC, and the development of progression links through the Higher Education Links Scheme, where places in Institutes of Technology are allocated to PLC students based on successful completion of their courses.

For the future, the PLC Review Report (2003) contains 21 recommendations, incorporating 91 sub- recommendations. Also, the recently published ''Towards 2016: Ten Year Framework Social Partnership Agreement 2006 - 2015'' has noted that, having regard to developments in the PLC sector (including the McIver report), concrete prioritised proposals in relation to PLC provision will be prepared and will be the subject of further negotiations between management and unions.

Of course, all of this is leading to the creation of a PLC sector as a distinct entity within the educational mix.

"The PLC Sector is not just a viable alternative to third level, " said a spokesperson from the Department of Education and Science. "It is, in fact, a key programme in the further education sector. The PLC sector provides students with the knowledge, skills and competencies to either progress directly to employment in their chosen field or to further studies in an Institute of Technology or university. Approximately 15,000 people under the age of 21 and another 15,000 over the age of 21 attend PLC courses in this country each year, and the majority of the 15,000 under 21 year olds attending PLC courses are school leavers, who see the sector as a viable and an attractive option. The PLC is a vibrant sector with its own raison d'etre. It increases the options available, both to our school leavers and to adults returning to education. It is not seen as a last resort but as a key component in our lifelong learning spectrum."