16 new PLCs have been added to a midlands ETB facility in the past year.
Over a third of students who go straight to college from 6th Year drop-out, while the figure is only 2% for those who attend a PLC course first.
That's according to figures from the LOETB, which says PLCs have become more attractive to students due to issues with securing and affording accommodation.
16 new courses have been added to the Tullamore Further Education Centre in the past year alone, with students able to study tourism, science and healthcare.
The centre has a new principal, Irene Togher, who says it's also gotten easier to sell parents on the value of the courses:
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