8

Bridgetown College

Bridgetown, Co Wexford

Phone: (053) 913 52 57

E-mail: maireadredmond@wwetb.ie

Website: www.bridgetowncollege.ie

Post Leaving Certificate Course

Further information is available from our PLC Co-ordinator,

Ms. Mairéad Redmond Contact Details

Information Processing

Communications

Database Methods Spreadsheet Methods

Information Communication Systems The Internet

Web Authoring Word Processing Work Experience

One year full-time programme

Po

st Leav

ing C

ertificate Co

urse P

rosp

ectus

Bridging the gap

to a better future

Bridgetown College Coláiste Bhaile an Droichid

Bridgetown college

Bridgetown College aims to provide a holistic

educational experience meeting the diverse needs of the

community in a positive learning environment. We

encourage all students to realise their full potential and

develop a sense of self worth by promoting mutual

respect, co-operation and tolerance.

2

The PLC course is a one-year, full time course designed to prepare students for work in the modern office and/or pursue further education in this area. Emphasis is placed on the use of the most modern technology and software.

We have an excellent Information Technology Room dedicated for the exclusive use of our PLC students. Using Cloud Services, through Office 365, we offer online storage accounts and access to all the latest software packages, thus enabling our graduates to feel thoroughly confident and competent when they leave us for the work-place.

Inside this prospectus:

New Course on offer 2

QQI & SOLAS 3

Range of subjects 3

Timetable to suit mature students

4

National Framework of Qualifications

4

Higher links scheme 5

Leaving Cert Points 5

Detailed description of modules

6-7

For 2019, we have completely revised the format of our PLC Course in Information Processing. We are now incorporating Work Experience on a weekly basis to enable students to consolidate their skills, thereby gaining self-confidence and maximising their chances of finding employment.

7

Web Authoring (5N1910) This programme module aims to provide a Learner with the

personal knowledge, skills and capacity to understand Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) standards and editors in the construction,

testing and maintenance of webpages and sites

The Internet (5N1611) This programme module aims to equip the learner with the

knowledge, skill and competence to use the internet for communication, research, collaboration, e-Commerce and web authoring in a secure and confidential manner in a range of

personal and work contexts

Information Communication Systems (5N1952) This programme module aims to equip the learner with the

knowledge, skill and competence required to understand how information is processed within organisations and the various

systems and methods in use and to enable the learner to operate effectively, in a range of organisations.

Throughout the course students are provided with Career Guidance so that they can acquire the relevant information and skills to pursue the career of their choice. Assistance is provided with regard to applications to Level 6 and Level 7 courses in related areas.

Where possible, candidates are also offered the opportunity to

repeat a Leaving Certificate subject if desired.

Over the years, we have taken great pride in a very successful placement rate for our graduates, in employment, following the

course. So although the business world is recovering from the re-cession, and jobs are scarcer than ever before, our reputation is

very valuable to potential employers who often consult us upon the creation of a job opportunity.

6

Communications (5N0690) Encourages personal development through a range of projects, assignments, video interviews and oral presentations, together with public speaking, the aim being to develop self-confidence

and responsibility.

Database Methods (5N0783) This module has been designed to provide practical

experience in the use of database software in typical business and other applications.

Software: Microsoft Access (2007)

Spreadsheet Methods (5N1977) This module has been designed to provide extensive

practical experience in the use of spreadsheet Software, Microsoft Excel (2007)

Word Processing (5N1358)

This module is designed to enable learners to develop their word processing skills, their understanding and application of

word processing software and their file management techniques.

Work Experience (5N1356)

This module involves learners preparing and planning for work, working under direction in a specific vocational area and

reviewing and evaluating that work. The experience of work enables learners to develop work skills, evaluate employment

opportunities and cope with changing work environments.

This year, students will go out on work experience for one day each week throughout the year to gain invaluable experi-ence. This offers a chance for newly acquired skills to be put

into practice in the workplace. This learning is then detailed in a report upon their return to the college.

The Information Processing course (5M2067) contains the following 8 modules.

3

Our course, in Information Processing, is a Level 5 QQI approved course which will give candidates the skills and knowledge required to gain a Full Level 5 Certificate in Information Processing.

The course is also

approved by SOLAS, the official body that was set up to replace FÁS.

We continuously evaluate our progress as we endeavour to offer the most relevant range of subjects possible, taking into account the needs of the workplace and those of our students. We currently offer the following subjects/modules: Database Methods

Spreadsheet Methods

Information Communication Systems

Communications

Word Processing

Work Experience

The Internet

Web Authoring

Candidates must secure eight full modules, from the above list, to receive the

National Certificate in Information Processing.

“I never realised

we’d be studying

so many different

subjects, it’s really

interesting!”

Former PLC

Student

4

The course is provided on a modular basis, with special emphasis on the core subjects. The first four weeks of the course are almost entirely devoted to keyboarding, thus ensuring fluency in all computer modules.

Further details of each of these modules can

be found @ www.qqi.ie We like to encourage participation from mature students and have adapted our timetable to meet the needs of job seekers who are keen to enhance their skills and qualifications.

With this revised schedule, we hope that it will be easier for students to complete the required assignments and also have time for part-time work at evenings or weekends. All deadlines are agreed between students and teachers well in advance to avoid placing students under unnecessary pressure or stress.

New modules are

constantly being

introduced to suit

the needs of

students in an

ever-changing

environment

5

We operate the “Higher Links Scheme” in

this College whereby students can gain points in order to access Third Level Courses.

In recent years an increasing number of our graduates are pursuing further education at university level. The full Level 5 award facilitates entry on a competitive basis, to a range of third level institutions nationwide. Further details are available from relevant institutions. Successful completion of this course will facilitate entry to Level 6 and Level 7 courses in related areas. The College has a dedicated, experienced and highly qualified team of teachers, some of whom also act as external examiners at a national level for QQI. By completing a PLC course at Bridgetown College it is possible to achieve a score of up to 390 Leaving Certificate Points which can then be used to gain access to further education in a range of third level institutions nationwide.

(Eight distinctions = 390 LC Points)