Education and Learning - Cork Healthy Cities · delivered through exhibitions, performances, classes, workshops and lectures hosted by centres, businesses, individuals and organisations

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CORK CITY PROFILE 2018

03

Education and Learning

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CORK CITY PROFILE 2018 SECTION 03 EDUCATION AND LEARNING

3.1 Introduction

CORK AS A LEARNING CITY

Cork was recognised by UNESCO as one of the leading Learning Cities in the world when the

UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning selected the city in 2015 as one of the first 12 cities

(of just three in Europe) to achieve a Learning City Award. The strength of Cork as a Learning

City was further recognised by UNESCO selecting the city to host its 3rd International

Conference on Learning Cities, following previous conferences in Beijing and Mexico. These

decisions were primarily based on a UNESCO case study55 on Cork undertaken in 2015 that

highlighted the city’s good practice in lifelong learning, and featured the Cork Lifelong Learning

Festival as an example of best practice worldwide. These two decisions by UNESCO represent

significant milestones in the city’s development as a globally connected City of Learning, and

build on the strong educational history of the city, and its well-developed learning infrastructure.

This infrastructure provides significant access and learning opportunities to the population of the

city and surrounding region, as well as direct and secondary employment in educational settings.

The city has two third level colleges: University College Cork (UCC) and Cork Institute of

Technology (CIT). Under the Cork Education and Training Board the city has three of the five

largest colleges of further education in the country, including the largest (Cork College of

Commerce) and Cork Training Centre, formerly a FÁS training centre; the latter provides a

wide range of full and part-time training programmes geared at industry. In addition to a well-

developed ‘ecosystem’56 providing formal education including at early years, primary and

secondary levels, there are many opportunities for second-chance education and both formal

and informal programmes, plus initiatives aimed at tackling educational disadvantage.57

CORK LEARNING CITY POLICY

Developing Cork as a City of Learning was one of just seven high level goals in the Cork City

Development Board Plan ‘Imagine our Future’ 2002-2012. In 2014 Cork City Council adopted the

UNESCO Beijing Declaration on Building Learning Cities58 and in 2015 signed an MOU with Cork

Education and Training Board, CIT and UCC to commit to working together to implement this

declaration. This was the result of Cork being among the first 12 cities worldwide to achieve

the UNESCO Learning City Award. UNESCO defines a Learning City as one which demonstrates

55 - Unlocking the Potential of Urban communities: UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning.

56 - Cork Learning City; Past, Present and Exploring Our Future: Cork City Council 2017.

57 - Unlocking the Potential of Urban communities: UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning.

58 - This Declaration aims to Promote Inclusion, Prosperity and Sustainabil-ity in Cities.

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its commitment to maximising lifelong learning opportunities for its citizens.59 In 2016 Cork

City Council adopted the UNESCO Mexico Statement on Sustainable Learning Cities and in

September 2017 Cork hosted the 3rd UNESCO International Conference on Learning Cities.

This event generated the UNESCO Cork Call to Action on Learning Cities which was

subsequently adopted by Cork City Council. In addition to the Cork Learning City Strategic Plan,

The City Development Plan and the Local Economic and Community Plan are among recent

strategic documents which include objectives and actions relating to Learning and Education.

CORK LIFELONG LEARNING FESTIVAL

In 2018 Cork held the 15th annual Lifelong Learning Festival which offers hundreds of free

and accessible learning events over a week each Spring. The festival showcases and

celebrates learning for all ages, interests and abilities, in numerous locations across the city.

The Cork Lifelong Learning Festival which started in 2004 with 67 organised events has grown

steadily and featured 336 separate events (many repeated during festival week) in 2018.

The festival is about promoting learning activities for the whole community. The events are

all free and hosted by participating organisations and groups, taking place across the city.

Figure 26 illustrates how the Festival has grown in scale since 2004. Festival events (Figure

27) are across a very broad range, from cultural to creative, scientific to sporting, with events

delivered through exhibitions, performances, classes, workshops and lectures hosted by

centres, businesses, individuals and organisations of all kinds. Venues range from Hollyhill

Library, College of Commerce, CIT Cork School of Music, Knocknaheeny Youth Centre, CIT, UCC

to workplaces and factories. The following chart illustrates the scale of growth of the Lifelong

Learning Festival and indicates the type of organisations involved in delivering activities.

59 - http://www.corkcity.ie/learningcity/.

Figure 26: TYPES OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES TAKING PLACE IN CORK CITY FOR LIFELONG LEARNING FESTIVALS SINCE 2004 (SOURCE: CORK CITY COUNCIL)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Learning City

Disability Organisation

Youth Work

Community Education

Language schools

School

Sports Clubs

Public Service

Cork City Partnership CIT

Community Health

Community ArtsUCC

Private Sector

CETB

Community & Voluntary

Libraries

2004

2016

2018

Types of Learning Activities for Lifelong Learning Festivals Cork City since 2004

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LEARNING NEIGHBOURHOODS

Learning Neighbourhoods60 is an initiative which aims to take the learning city concept

to the neighbourhood level. It facilitates local learning organisations and networks of all

kinds to develop and showcase learning opportunities. In Cork the definition of a Learning

Neighbourhood is an area that has an ongoing commitment to learning, providing inclusive and

diverse learning opportunities for whole communities through partnership and collaboration.

In 2017 there were four Learning Neighbourhoods in Cork: Ballyphehane, Knocknaheeny,

Mayfield and Togher, and other areas plan to join in the future. Although each of these

neighbourhoods faces educational and social disadvantage, they also have active community

and education organisations and networks which are open to furthering learning opportunities

for all citizens. Through consultation with residents a range of learning activities are organised

throughout the year and during the Lifelong Learning Festival in these neighbourhoods. In the

past these activities have included exhibitions, workshops, creative projects, and free lectures

from third level lecturers on topics such as how to reliably access health information on the

internet, information about local history, healthy eating and healthy ageing.

Figure 27: TYPES OF LIFELONG LEARNING FESTIVAL EVENTS (SOURCE: CORK CITY COUNCIL)

60 - http://www.corkcity.ie/learningcity/learningneighbourhoods.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Current affairs/Politics

Photography

Culture

Theatre / Drama

Food & Nutrition

Uncategorised

Literature & Literacy

Language

Business & Finance

Lifelong Learning

Enviroment

Science & Technology

Music

Exercise

Health & Wellb

eing

History & Geneaology

Creative

TYPES OF LIFELONG LEARNING FESTIVAL EVENTS

2004

2016

2018

Types of Lifelong Learning Festival Events Cork City since 2004

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FORMAL EDUCATION

Primary Education

In 2018 there are 49 Department of Education and Skills (DES) recognised and funded primary

schools in Cork City. Of these, three are Church of Ireland, two are Multi-Denominational61 and

44 are Catholic. Enrolment numbers in Cork City primary schools have been decreasing since

2010. From 2010 to 2018 enrolment has fallen by 281 and currently stands at 12,802 students.62

Post Primary Education

In 2018 there are 27 Post Primary schools, recognised and funded by the Department of

Education and Skills, in Cork City. Of these, one is Church of Ireland (mixed), seven are Inter-

denominational (mixed),63 one is multi-denominational (mixed) and 17 are Catholic (one mixed).

Of the 27 schools, 12 are designated as DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity In Schools)64

by the Department of Education and Skills and are mainly located in RAPID areas and/or on

the north side of Cork City.

Enrolment in Cork City secondary schools is following a similar trend to the primary schools,

numbers are falling. Between 2010 and 2016, Post Primary Student numbers in the city

decreased by 537 (15,450 students in 2010 and 14,913 in 2016).65

Demographic changes in the school-going age group in Cork City from 2006 to 2016 may

explain falling numbers. In 2006 there were 12,457 5-14 year olds, in 2011 there were 11,455

and in 2016 there were 11,635; an overall decrease in this 10 year period of 822. Although there

was an 8% decrease in this age group between 2006 and 2011, there was, albeit marginal

(1.6%), an increase in numbers between 2011 and 2016.

The age category of 0-4 year olds shows consistent increases from 5,707 in 2006 to 6,042

in 2011 to 6,305 in 2016, which should lead to an increase in enrolments.

BENEFITS OF EDUCATION

Education promotes an overall better quality of life, including healthier behaviours through

informed choice, thus reducing the need for healthcare. This positively impacts on dependence

costs, earnings potential, personal and community well-being and reduces suffering.66

61 - A multi-denominational school does not teach a particular faith or creed but facilitates any group of parents to organise religious instruction for their children outside the main school programme.

62 - Figures for the 2017/2018 academic year are ‘Provisional’. https://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Statis-tics/Data-on-Individual-Schools/.

63 - Interdenominational religious education gives equal status to both Catholic and Protestant faiths and traditions. The programme is based on the Religious Education Pro-grammes laid down by the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin and the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin and Glendalough.

64 - Launched in 2005 by the Department of Education and Skills, DEIS (De-livering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) is the most recent national programme aimed at addressing the educational needs of children and young people from disadvantaged communities. https://www.educa-tion.ie/.../Schools.../DEIS.

65 - Until 2016 ‘Post Leaving Certificate Course’ (PLC) numbers were included in total ‘Secondary school’ numbers. In 2017, numbers of students partic-ipating in PLC’s were not included in ‘Secondary school’ numbers. In 2017, 3,704 students participated in PLCs in Cork City and there were 11,294 Secondary school students.

66 - http://www.oecd.org/education/in-novation-education/37425753.pdf.

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EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

Education is an investment in future earnings potential with a ‘premium’ associated with Higher

Education attainment. OECD data for Ireland in 2012 indicates that when using upper-secondary

and post-secondary non-tertiary education as a benchmark (ages 25-64), third level graduates

earned 75% more. The research also found that those with lower secondary education or lower,

earned an average of 16% less than the benchmark of those with upper-secondary and post-

secondary non-tertiary education.67 In practical terms, if the benchmark is €30,000, a third level

graduate will earn €52,500 and a person educated to lower secondary level will earn €25,200.68

As well as greater earning potential, people with higher education are more likely to work in a safe,

fulfilling and subjectively rewarding job,69 aspects of work that also impact on one’s health.

EDUCATION AND HEALTH

Just as there is a relationship between education level and income, education level may also impact

social outcomes such as Health and Social Cohesion70 by helping people to use information and

access services which can improve their health. There is a strong positive relationship between

education and health outcomes. Evidence indicates that people with low education levels were more

likely to report functional limitations and poorer general health.71 Associations have been found

between low education and increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease, stroke, lung cancer

and infectious diseases. Level of education is also shown to impact in different ways at different life

stages; impacting the mental health of young people and the physical functioning of older people.72

Conversely, higher education is correlated with healthy habits such as more physical activity,

better diet and less smoking.

Evidence shows that being physically active is one of the best ways to maintain and improve

health and studies in the UK and Ireland indicate that those with an education level of upper

secondary or higher were more likely to participate in regular exercise. Higher education level

has been shown to positively affect safe sex practices, substance use and knowledge of health

conditions and treatments. Conversely, lower education levels are correlated with low ‘Health

Literacy’ 73 which is associated with greater use of healthcare services, higher hospitalisation

rates and higher healthcare costs.

International evidence shows that those with a lower education level are more at risk of poorer

health throughout their lives and are more likely to die younger.

Research carried out by the OECD in 2013 suggested four social outcome measures which

are key indicators of individual and national well-being; self-reported health, volunteering,

interpersonal trust and political efficacy. The OECD research indicates a positive association

between higher education levels and high levels of these indicators.

Social benefits of education are not limited to education received in childhood or adolescence.

Participation in adult learning courses has also been shown to have a positive impact on

community participation74 and enhance social networks. Social networks can reduce the risk

of dying and foster positive mental health.75

.

67 - Education at a Glance, OECD Indica-tors, 2014.

68 - This is a ‘simple’ and ‘general’ calcu-lation. i.e. it does not account for pay differences associated with gender or third level field of study.

69 - Health impacts of Education, 2008.

70 - Education at a Glance, OECD Indica-tors, 2014.

71 - Health Impacts of Education, 2008.


73 - Health Literacy ‘the degree to which individuals have the capacity to ob-tain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions’ cited in health impacts of education, 2008.

74 - Feinstein L, Hammond C, Woods L, Preston J, Bynner J. The contribution of adult learning to social health cap-ital. Research report No. 8. London: Centre for Research on the Wider Benefits of Learning 2003. (Cited in Health Impacts of Education, 2008.

75 - Putnam RD. Bowling alone: The collapse and revival of American community. New York: Simon & Shus-ter 2000. Cited in Health Impacts of Education, 2008)

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3.2 Early School Leaving


77 - http://www.tusla.ie/uploads/content/Guidelines_on_identifying_young_people_at_risk_of_ESL.pdf.

AGE AT WHICH EDUCATION CEASED

Being employed is better for your health than being unemployed76 and the more years

of education a person has, the more likely they are to be employed.

A number of indicators77 increase the likelihood that a child will leave school early/have

low educational attainment. These include, (indicators taken separately or together):

children from low income families, with emotional/behavioural difficulties, whose parents

are unemployed, from single parent households, with a low school attendance rate and who

may have experienced a stressful life event.

The period 2006 to 2016 has seen a positive trend in terms of age and educational attainment

in Cork City. In 2006, more than one in 10 (11.8%) of Cork City’s population ceased their

education under the aged of 15. Since then, the proportion with such low education has been

decreasing. In 2011 it was 8.0% and in 2016 it fell to one in 20 (5.8%), at slightly lower than

that of the State’s rate of 5.9%. In 2016, both Cork City and the State had slightly higher

proportions of lower educated persons than Cork City and Suburbs (4.6%).

Considering EDs in Cork City in 2016, two stand out as having high proportions of lower

educated individuals. In Gurranebraher A, almost one in 4 people had ceased their education

before age 15 and in Gurranebraher E the ratio was 1:5. The following table shows the 5 EDs

with the highest proportions of those who ceased their education under the age of 15.

Comparing this data with the variable ‘unable to work due to permanent sickness or disability’

(Question 27 on the Census form), three of the above Electoral Divisions feature in the top five

EDs with the greatest proportions of those unable to work: Gurranebraher E, Gurranebraher

A and Fair Hill B (Table 71).

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Table 70: Percentage of the Population Who Ceased Their Education Before Age 15, Cork City 2016 (Source: CSO)

2016 Cork City % of the population who ceased their education before age 15

Gurranebraher A 23.4%

Gurranebraher E 20.6%

Fair Hill B 16.7%

Fair Hill A 15.1%

Churchfield 14.5%

Table 71: EDs with the Highest and Lowest Proportions of Those Unable to Work Due to Permanent Sickness or Disability (Source: CSO)

2016 Highest: unable to work 2016 Lowest: unable to work

Gurranebraher E 12.7% Gillabbey C 0.7%

Knocknaheeny 12.7% Glasheen A 1.8%

Gurranebraher A 12.6% Glasheen B 2.0%

Fair Hill B 11.4% Browningstown 2.0%

Mayfield 11.1% Mardyke 2.1%

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3.3 Education Levels and Perception of Health

78 - Further data regarding perception of health and low educational at-tainment is presented in the ‘Health Outcomes’ chapter.

79 - 6 April 2016, 7 April: Eurostat Press Release: World Health Day, almost three-quarters of people aged 25 to 64 in the EU feel healthy, Education level plays a role.

For Cork City, Cork City and Suburbs and the State in 2016 the highest education level for the

majority of the population, female and male, was ‘Upper Secondary’ (17.5%, 18.1% and 18.5%

respectively). An education level of lower secondary or lower, including early school leavers

is a cause for concern. For each of the three ‘lower’ education levels, ‘no formal’, ‘primary’ and

‘lower secondary’ Cork City has the highest proportion in each category. 29.6% of Cork City’s

population’s highest education level is Lower Secondary. This figure is 27.0% for the State a

nd 25.2% for the City and Suburbs.

Table 72 shows those EDs with the highest proportions of highest education level as primary

or less and those EDs with the highest proportions who rate their health poorly in 2016. Results

suggest an association between low education attainment and poor health perception. Four

EDs, Fair Hill B, Fair Hill A, Gurranebraher C and Gurranebraher B feature in the top five of each

variable. Although not tabulated here, Togher B has a high proportion of lower educated persons

and Gurranebraher A has a high proportion of people who rate their health poorly.78

Compared to other EU countries, Ireland has scored well on ‘perception of health.’ In 2014

Ireland had the second highest proportion (84.2%) of 25-64 year olds who felt their health

was very good or good.79

Table 72: EDs with the Highest Proportions of Their Populations with Fair, Bad or Very Bad General Health Compared with EDs with the Highest Proportions of Their Populations Aged 15+ Whose Highest Level of Education is Primary or Less, 2016 (Source: CSO)

EDs with highest proportions of their populations with Fair, Bad or Very Bad General Health, 2016

EDs with highest proportions of their populations aged 15+ whose Highest Level of Education is Primary or Less, 2016

Cork City EDs % Cork City EDs %

Fair Hill B 22.1% Fair Hill B 37.1%

Gurranebraher C 21.7% Fair Hill A 29.3%

Gurranebraher B 20.2% Gurranebraher A 29.3%

Fair Hill A 20.2% Gurranebraher C 28.8%

Togher B 19.5% Gurranebraher B 28.3%

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3.4 Level of Education

The education levels of the populations of Cork City, the City

and Suburbs and the State in 2016 are similar. Cork City has

the highest proportions whose highest education level is

lower secondary;. for all other education levels, apart from

‘Postgraduate Diploma or Degree’ and ‘Doctorate (PhD or

higher)’, Cork City has lower proportions.

Cork has two third level education institutes, it therefore

follows that the city has relatively high proportions of highly

educated persons, who learn and teach in these institutes.

HIGHEST EDUCATION LEVEL80

In 2016 the proportion of the population in Cork City whose

highest level of education was primary was 13.6% while

across the State it was 12.5%. In Cork City in 2006, primary

was the highest level for 19.5%, dropping to 16.5% by 2011

and to 13.6% by 2016.

Figure 29 shows the highest concentrations of those whose

highest education level is primary or less in 2016 were found

in the RAPID areas of Knocknaheeny, Blackpool and Togher.

In 2016 primary level education was the highest level

for over one in three people (37.1%) living in Fair Hill B,

an improvement over the 2011 rate of 42.2% (Table 73).

Fair Hill B was also the ED with the highest proportion of

those who ranked their health as ‘fair’ and had the highest

proportion of older people. A number of the same EDs , Fair

Hill A, Gurranebraher B, and Gurranebraher C, featured high

proportions of those who rated their health poorly and had

low educational attainment, indicating a likely association

between their education and how healthy they felt.

Figure 28: HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION, CORK CITY AND THE STATE (BY GENDER), 2016 (SOURCE: CSO)

80 - Population were asked about ‘High-est level of education completed’ on the census form. Categories of answer for 2011 and 2016 are the same but some 2006 answer cate-gories differ from those of 2011 and 2016. For this reason, not all answer categories for ‘Highest education levels’ for the three censuses are comparable.

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

No Formal E

ducation

Primary Education

Lower Secondary

Upper Secondary

Technical or V

ocational qualifi

cation

Advanced Certificate/Completed Apprenticeship

Higher Certificate

Ordinary Bachelor D

egree or N

ational D

iploma

Honours Bachelor Degree Professional q

ualificatio

n or both

Postgraduate Diploma or Degree

Doctorate(Ph.D) o

r higher

Not stated

Highest Level of Education, 2016

Cork City Males State Males Cork City Females State Females

Highest Level of Education (By Gender) Cork City and the State, 2016

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Togher

Mahon

Blackpool/The GlenMayfield

Knocknaheeny/Hollyhill/

Churchfield

Fairhill/Gurranabraher/

Farranree

Source: Esri, HERE, Garmin, © OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS user community

PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION AGED 15+ WHOSE HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION IS PRIMARY LEVEL OR LESS, 2016 ±

0 1 20.5

Kilometers

% Population by ED

Cork City Boundary

Rapid Areas

Knocknaheeny/Hollyhill/Churchfield

Blackpool/The Glen/Mayfield

Fairhill/Gurranabraher/Farranree

Mahon

Togher

Less than 7%

7% to 14%

14% to 21%

21% to 28%

Greater than 28%

Figure 29: PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION AGED 15+ WHOSE HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION IS PRIMARY LEVEL OR LESS, 2016 (SOURCE: CSO)

Table 73: Highest Level of Education is Primary or Less, EDs with the Highest Proportions (Source: CSO)

2006 % 2011 % 2016 %

Fair Hill A 42.8% Fair Hill B 42.2% Fair Hill B 37.1%

Churchfield 42.1% Farranferris B 38.9% Fair Hill A 29.3%

Farranferris B 41.0% Gurranebraher A 38.2% Gurranebraher A 29.3%

Togher B 40.0% Gurranebraher E 33.9% Gurranebraher C 28.8%

Fair Hill B 39.5% Farranferris C 33.9% Gurranebraher B 28.3%

Table 74: Highest Level of Education is Primary School or Less, EDs with the Lowest Proportions (Source: CSO)

2006 % 2011 % 2016 %

Centre A 4.0% Browningstown 4.1% Centre A 2.9%

Bishopstown D 5.0% Tramore B 4.6% Tramore B 3.5%

Tramore B 5.8% Knockrea A 4.6% Knockrea B 3.7%

Mardyke 6.1% Tramore A 4.9% Bishopstown D 3.8%

Browningstown 6.3% Bishopstown D 5.0% Browningstown 3.8%

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Table 75: Highest Level of Education is Lower Secondary, EDs with Highest Proportions (Source: CSO)

2006 % 2011 % 2016 %

Fair Hill C 34.9% Togher B 29.2% Gurranebraher A 27.8%

Knocknaheeny 32.4% Fair Hill C 29.2% Ballyphehane B 27.7%

Ballyphehane B 31.3% Pouladuff B 29.1% Gurranebraher E 26.8%

Pouladuff B 31.0% Pouladuff A 29.1% Farranferris B 26.7%

Churchfield 30.4% Mayfield 28.6% The Glen A 26.5%

Table 76: Highest Level of Education is Lower Secondary, EDs with The Lowest Proportions (Source: CSO)

2006 % 2011 % 2016 %

St. Patrick's B 8.8% Tramore A 5.5% Mardyke 8.5%

South Gate A 8.8% Knockrea B 6.1% Centre A 9.7%

Centre A 9.5% Centre A 6.9% South Gate A 10.5%

Knockrea A 9.6% Centre B 7.4% Knockrea B 10.6%

Mardyke 10.0% Mardyke 7.9% Centre B 11.2%

POPULATION WITH LOWER SECONDARY EDUCATION

‘Lower secondary’ and ‘primary or less’ provide results of early school leaving, which is

associated with vulnerabilities such as poor health, health perception, an increased risk

of unemployment.

Results show that the proportions across Cork City with lower secondary as the highest level

of education have been reducing over time. In 2006, 2011 and 2016, rates were 21.7%, 18.6%

and 16.0% respectively (similar trend to that of ‘primary education or less’). In 2016 the State

and Cork City and Suburbs had lower rates than Cork City with 14.5% and 14.4% respectively.

The EDs with the highest proportions of lower secondary in 2016 were Gurranebraher A,

Ballyphehane B, Gurranebraher E, Farranferris B and The Glen A (Table 75). There is some

overlap between these EDs and those with highest unemployment levels: The Glen A, and

Farranferris B and with poor health perception: Gurranebraher A and Gurranebraher E.

The 2016 EDs differ from those of 2011 (no two EDs feature in both censuses) and there

is evidence of positive change with 2016 proportions lower than those of 2011.

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POPULATION WITH UPPER SECONDARY EDUCATION

For the majority of the population living in Cork City, in the City and Suburbs or across the

State, their highest education level is Upper Secondary in 2016.

Analysis indicates that positive changes have occurred between 2011 and 2016 for some EDs.

The EDs which feature in 2011 were all relatively affluent, ranging from Bishopstown D with a

deprivation score of 5.15 to Browningstown with a score of 11.39.81 By 2016 two ‘deprived’ EDs,

Gurranebraher E with a score of -13.31 and The Glen B with -8.66, feature in the top five EDs

with the highest proportions of ‘Upper Secondary’ (Table 77).

Table 77: Highest Level of Education is Upper Secondary, EDs with Highest Proportions (Source: CSO)

2006 % 2011 % 2016 %

Ballinlough B 26.6% Ballinlough B 25.0% Bishopstown D 23.0%

Browningstown 26.0% Tramore B 24.9% Gurranebraher E 22.9%

Tramore B 25.5% Bishopstown D 24.6% The Glen B 21.6%

Bishopstown D 24.7% Browningstown 24.3% Mahon C 21.6%

Glasheen B 24.5% Mahon C 24.1% Tivoli B 21.4%

Table 78: Highest Level of Education is Upper Secondary, EDs with Lowest Proportions (Source: CSO)

2006 % 2011 % 2016 %

Fair Hill B 9.3% Tramore A 9.8% Centre B 10.2%

Centre A 11.1% Gillabbey A 12.3% Gillabbey A 10.8%

Farranferris C 12.1% Centre A 12.8% Mardyke 11.2%

Churchfield 12.4% Fair Hill B 13.9% Gillabbey C 11.3%

Shandon B 13.0% Glasheen A 14.3% Glasheen A 11.5%

81 - The higher the score, the higher the level of affluence.

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POPULATION WITH TECHNICAL OR VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

The percentage of Cork City’s population with technical or vocational qualifications increased

from 7.2% in 2006 to 8.8% in 2016. Results in Table 79 for 2011 and 2016 show similar

proportions with these qualifications (the highest levels in 2011 and 2016 are both 10.1%).

Changes have occurred in the EDs with the greatest proportions with these qualifications,

with a geographical shift from Inner-City EDs to include more North Side and/or RAPID areas:

Commons, The Glen B, Fair Hill A (RAPID), Farranferris A (RAPID).

Table 79: Highest Level Of Education Is A Technical Or Vocational Qualification, EDs With Highest Proportions (Source: CSO)

2006 % 2011 % 2016 %

Mardyke 8.5% St. Patrick's B 10.1% Commons 10.1%

Shandon B 7.4% South Gate A 9.5% Fair Hill A 9.5%

Turners Cross D 7.1% South Gate B 9.4% Farranferris A 9.3%

Shandon A 6.8% Shandon A 9.3% Shandon B 9.2%

Farranferris A 6.7% Turners Cross D 9.2% The Glen B 9.2%

Table 80: Highest Level Of Education Is A Technical Or Vocational Qualification, EDs With Lowest Proportions (Source: CSO)

2006 % 2011 % 2016 %

Farranferris B 1.1% Fair Hill B 3.8% Gillabbey C 4.1%

Fair Hill B 2.3% Gillabbey C 4.3% Fair Hill B 4.2%

Gurranebraher D 2.5% Farranferris B 4.3% Tramore B 4.3%

Gillabbey C 2.6% Gurranebraher E 4.7% Farranferris B 4.3%

Gurranebraher E 2.6% Farranferris C 4.8% Browningstown 4.6%

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POPULATION WITH ADVANCED CERTIFICATE/ COMPLETED APPRENTICESHIP

4.5% of Cork City’s population, 5.0% of the City and Suburbs and 5.9% of the State’s

population were educated to Advanced Certificate or had completed an Apprenticeship

in 2016. Table 81 shows that proportions of the population from 2011 to 2016 remained similar

with some changes in EDs for the top five. In 2016 those EDs with the highest proportions

were Turners Cross D, Tivoli B, Turners Cross C, South Gate A and Turners Cross B. South Gate

A was also characterised by a low ‘retired’ and high ‘Non-Irish population.’ Turners Cross D had

a high retired population.

Table 81: Highest Level Of Education Is Advanced Certificate/Completed Apprenticeship, EDs With Highest Proportions (Source: CSO)

2011 % 2016 %

Shandon B 8.0% Turners Cross D 8.5%

Turners Cross D 7.8% Tivoli B 6.9%

Tivoli B 7.0% Turners Cross C 6.3%

South Gate A 6.4% South Gate A 6.3%

Commons 6.4% Turners Cross B 6.2%

Table 82: Highest Level Of Education Is Advanced Certificate/Completed Apprenticeship, EDs With Lowest Proportions (Source: CSO)

2011 % 2016 %

Gurranebraher A 1.6% Fair Hill B 1.5%

Farranferris B 2.2% Farranferris B 1.8%

Knocknaheeny 2.5% Gurranebraher A 2.8%

Gillabbey A 2.5% Gurranebraher E 2.8%

Fair Hill B 2.5% Mardyke 2.9%

124


POPULATION WITH HIGHER CERTIFICATE

In 2016 4.1% of Cork City’s population held a Higher Certificate. The rate was 4.8% in

the City and Suburbs and 5.0% across the State. The EDs with the highest proportions in

Cork City were similar to the City, City and Suburbs and State proportions, although they

decreased between 2011 and 2016. These EDs are located on the south side of Cork City with

Mardyke and Gillabbey C adjacent to UCC; both these EDs are among those with the highest

proportions of students aged 15+. South Gate A and South Gate B (adjacent to Cork College

of Commerce) in 2011 were amongst those with the highest proportions with technical or

vocational qualifications. Tramore B is characterised by a skilled workforce.

Table 83: Highest Level Of Education Is Higher Certificate, EDs With Highest Proportions (Source: CSO)

2011 % 2016 %

Shandon A 8.0% Tramore B 6.7%

Gillabbey C 7.7% South Gate B 6.6%

Centre A 6.7% Mardyke 6.5%

Mardyke 6.6% South Gate A 6.5%

St. Patrick's A 6.2% Gillabbey C 6.4%

Table 84: Highest Level Of Education Is Higher Certificate, EDs With Lowest Proportions (Source: CSO)

2011 % 2016 %


Gurranebraher B 0.7% Farranferris B 1.7%

Farranferris B 0.8% Knocknaheeny 1.8%

Togher B 1.0% Churchfield 1.9%

Pouladuff A 1.3% Glasheen B 2.1%

125


POPULATION WITH THIRD LEVEL

32.7% of the population in Cork City and Suburbs was educated to third level in 2016.

The rate was 29.1% for Cork City and 28.5% for the State. Greater proportions of the

population are attaining third level qualifications. EDs with the highest proportions are in

two distinct areas of Cork City; Knockrea A and B are adjacent with Browningstown in close

proximity, and Glasheen A and B are adjacent to each other. All EDs are on Cork’s south side.

Browningstown and Knockrea A and B are amongst the EDs with the highest proportion of

professional workers.

Table 85: Highest Level Of Education Is Ordinary Level Bachelor’s Degree Or Higher, EDs With Highest Proportions (Source: CSO)

2011 % 2016 %

Knockrea A 50.7% Knockrea A 56.5%

Bishopstown A 49.2% Glasheen A 52.8%

Glasheen B 44.7% Browningstown 52.2%

South Gate A 44.2% Knockrea B 52.2%

Browningstown 43.6% Glasheen B 49.5%

Table 86: Highest Level Of Education Is Ordinary Bachelor’s Degree Or Higher, EDs With Lowest Proportions (Source: CSO)

2011 % 2016 %

Farranferris B 3.5% Gurranebraher A 5.4%

Knocknaheeny 4.7% Farranferris B 5.8%

Fair Hill B 5.2% Knocknaheeny 6.7%


Fair Hill A 5.5% Churchfield 8.3%

126


TYPE OF QUALIFICATION

Respondents to the Census aged 15+ were asked ‘What is the main field of study of the

highest qualification you have completed to date?’ Interpreting the answer ‘Not-Stated’

as the indicator of ‘No Qualification,’ results show that in Cork City a greater proportion of

the population reported having a qualification in 2016 (47.0%) than in 2011 (43.8%). This trend,

the population becoming more ‘qualified,’ is evident across the State; however, Cork City is

showing greater ‘improvement’ with an increase of 3.2% as opposed to the State’s 1.4%.

In 2016 in the City and across the State the main fields of study were Social Sciences,

Business and Law (28.7% and 29% respectively). The most common occupation from these

disciplines is Accountancy and Taxation Experts;82 the second (City and State) is Engineering,

Manufacturing and Construction. Electricians and Electrical Fitters make up the largest

occupational group under this discipline.

Results indicate that ‘field of study’ is highly gendered for several disciplines. Females

outnumber Males 3:1 in Education and Teacher training in Cork City, indicating more ‘equality’

than the State where the ratio is almost 4:1. Males dominate Engineering, Manufacturing

and Construction qualifications. In 2016 ratios in Cork City and State were almost 9:1.

Figure 30: PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION AGED 15+ WHOSE HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION IS ORDINARY BACHELOR’S DEGREE OR NATIONAL DIPLOMA OR HIGHER, 2016 (SOURCE: CSO)

82 - CSO.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-cp10esil/p10esil/fos/.

Togher

Mahon



Churchfield


Farranree


PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION AGED 15+ WHOSE HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION IS ORDINARY BACHELOR DEGREE

OR NATIONAL DIPLOMA OR HIGHER, 2016 ±

0 1 20.5

Kilometers

% Population by ED

Cork City Boundary

Rapid Areas




Mahon

Togher

Less than 15%

15% to 25%

25% to 35%

35% to 45%

Greater than 45%

127


Figure 32: PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION AGED 15+ THAT ARE STUDENTS, 2016 (SOURCE: CSO)

Figure 31: TYPE OF QUALIFICATION, CORK CITY AND THE STATE (BY GENDER), 2016 (SOURCE: CSO)

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%

40.0%

Education and teacher tr

ainingArts

Humanities

Social sciences Business and Law

Science Mathematics and Computing

Engineering Manufacturin

g and Construction

Agriculture and Veterinary

Health and Welfare

Services

Other subjects

Types of Qualification, 2016

Cork City Males State Males Cork City Females State Females

Type of Qualification (By Gender) Cork City and the State, 2016

Togher

Mahon



Churchfield


Farranree


PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION AGED 15+ THAT ARE STUDENTS, 2016 ±

0 1 20.5

Kilometers

% Population by ED

Cork City Boundary

Rapid Areas




Mahon

Togher

Less than 17%

17% to 28%

28% to 37%

37% to 46%

Greater than 46%

128


Programme Category Total Number of Course Instances During 2016

Total Reported

» Apprenticeship Training 87 1291

» Blended Training 1 15

» Community Training Centres 11 178

» Local Training Initiatives 39 612

» PLC 545 4832

» Specialist Training Providers 23 447

» Specific Skills Training 103 1418

» Traineeship Training 19 229

» Youthreach 96 866

» Adult Literacy Groups 868 4653

» BTEI Groups 343 2339

» ESOL 83 1289

» Evening Training 108 1042

» ITABE 51 772

» Libraries Training 6 205

» Refugee Resettlement 2 30

» Skills for Work 25 145

» Voluntary Literacy Tuition 686 0

» Community Education 297 5749

» Total 3393 26112

STUDENTS

In 2016 in Cork City 15.2% of the population were students (aged 15+). The percentages were

lower for the City and Suburbs (14.2%) and the State (11.4%). Student numbers have been

increasing in Cork City, between 2006 (n=14,251) and 2011 (n=14,962) by 5% and between 2011

and 2016 (n=16,374) by 9.4%.

Figure 32 illustrates the distribution of the population aged 15+ classified as students living

in Cork City. The EDs with the highest proportions of students in 2016 are largely adjacent

to UCC and CIT; Gillabbey C (61.4% students), Bishopstown A (58.6%), Gillabbey B (45.4%),

Mardyke (37.3%) and Glasheen B (37.1%).

NUMBER OF STUDENTS ON FURTHER EDUCATION COURSES 2016 IN CORK CITY AND COUNTY

The following figures are for Cork Education and Training Board (CETB) engagement

in Further Education in 2016. They are not disaggregated into City and County.

During 2016 there were 26,112 on Further Education courses, both full and part time. 83

83 - CORK ETB ANNUAL REPORT, PLSS (Personal Learner Support System) returns, JANUARY 2016 – DECEM-BER 2016.

129


POPULATION PARTICIPATION RATES IN LIFELONG LEARNING

There are currently no statistics available on participation rates in Lifelong Learning in

Cork City. EUROSTAT84 has gathered statistics at national level on participation rates

across Europe in Lifelong Learning. This study defines Lifelong Learning as encompassing

all purposeful learning activity, whether formal, non-formal or informal, undertaken on an

ongoing basis with the aim of improving knowledge, skills and competence.

The measure of participation in Lifelong Learning used by Eurostat is the % of the population

aged 25 to 64 participating in Education and Training in the four weeks preceding the survey

interview. In 2016 the proportion in Ireland was 6.4%, a reduction on the 2011 rate of 7.1%.

The participation rate among EU-28 countries was 10.8%.

The Strategic Framework for European Cooperation in Education and Training adopted in May

2009 sets a target of 15% of adults aged 25 to 64 participating in Lifelong Learning by 2020.

It is recommended that a study be undertaken to determine the relevant figure for Cork City,

to compare it against both the figure for the State and the European average, and to compare

it to the 2020 EU target.

84 - https://www. Ec.europa.eu/Eu-rostat/adult learning statistics.

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