Project Description

Kilkee Community College is currently not hosting a transition year programme. This means students doing their Leaving Cert and finishing school have just turned 18 or are even still under 18. Many young people at that age are having a hard time deciding what line of work would interest and suit them and what to do after passing the Leaving Cert.

The Loop Head Transition Year - Work Placement Programme would allow those students to gather work experience in a wide variety of businesses around the Loop Head Peninsula over the period of one year and so gather experience and get a clearer view of what opportunities are out there. This would make it easier for young people to make an informed decision on what kind of apprenticeship or college course would be right for them.

It is envisaged that this programme would be run by a forum consisting preferably of all businesses located on the Loop Head Peninsula to which students could apply for one or more work placements throughout the school year. This year could either be placed before the Leaving Cert year as it is traditionally done or the year following the Leaving Cert.

Project Justification & Objectives

A Transition Year would be a unique opportunity for second level students to gather real world work experience which would make them more likely to choose a suitable apprenticeship or college course.

Having students gathering this work experience in the wide variety of local businesses would also make it more likely that these students would stay on or return to the peninsula after training, either seeking employment or setting up their own business.

Potential Project Stakeholders*

• Kilkee Community College

• Loop Head & Kilkee businesses

• Kilkee Chamber of Commerce

• Loop Head Together

*Potential Project Stakeholders means all stakeholders have not necessarily yet been contacted to help co-design the project, but are mentioned here as they would be a desirable project partner. We may have forgotten some - please let us know!