Parents biggest influence on college hopefuls, but struggle to provide career guidance
PRESS RELEASE – 24TH NOVEMBER 2014
Parents biggest influence on college hopefuls, but struggle to provide career guidance
According to a new survey carried out as part of College Awareness Week
- 9 in 10 parents encourage children to pursue further education
- 50% do not believe they have sufficient knowledge to advise their child
- 3 in 4 Irish adults achieved a post-second level qualification, younger generation showing higher likelihood of progressing past secondary school
Despite being the biggest influence on prospective college students, parents struggle to provide adequate career guidance for their children, according to a new survey carried out as part of College Awareness Week.
While 9 in 10 parents would encourage their children to pursue further education, half do not believe that they would have sufficient knowledge to advise their child. 9 in 10 parents would like more information to be made available to them.
Parents also believe that tax incentives and higher grants would improve third level affordability and encourage third level access for their children.
The national survey of 1,000 adults was carried out by Amárach Research as part of College Awareness Week, which is running from 24 November—30 November.
The campaign will encourage students of all ages to become ‘college ready’ by raising awareness of the benefits of a college education and showcasing local role models who have attended college.
As part of College Awareness Week, over 300 activities are taking place in schools and communities across Ireland.
As well as looking at national trends, the survey also examined college participation rates in Dublin 10 and Dublin 17, areas with a post-second level attendance rate compared to the national average.
Although 3rd level attendance is lower among those living in Dublin 10 and Dublin 17 compared to the national average, a positive trend is emerging with young adults completing further studies.
Both areas of Dublin view further education as very important. In Dublin 10, 72% said college education was very important, while in Dublin 17, 62% said it was very important.
Almost half (48%) of Dublin 10 residents said no other family member has attended college, while 36% of Dublin 17 residents said likewise.
In Dublin 10, 44% said their parents were their biggest real-life role models, followed by 20% for teachers. In Dublin 17, 45% said parents had the most influence on them, with 18% listing their teachers.
The primary motivator for not progressing into further education is a desire to gain employment (nationally and in Dublin 10 and 17), although for the national population financial constraints rank second whereas for those in Dublin 10 and Dublin 17 a lack of interest is the second most common factor.
Other findings include;
- 3 in 4 Irish adults who were surveyed have achieved a post-second level qualification, with the younger generation showing a higher likelihood of progressing past secondary school.
- Almost 53% of Irish adults aged 30-34 years have achieved a higher education qualification. The EU target for Ireland is to raise this to 60% by 2020.
- There were mixed views on the level of information available to mature students about returning to education with 44% believing that there is enough while 41% do not believe there is sufficient information.
- The majority of Dublin 10 (79%) and Dublin 17 (91%) respondents who have proceeded past secondary school believe that they chose the right course for them.
Launching College Awareness Week today (Monday) with the help of staff and students from Riversdale Community College and Blakestown Community School, Blanchardstown, as well as AIB Youth Ambassador Colm Cooper, Tánaiste Joan Burton said, ‘I am delighted to launch College Awareness Week and to help highlight the options that are available to students if they are considering progressing to further education.’
Kathleen O’Toole-Brennan, Campaign Founder and Programmes Manager with Trinity Access Programme, said, ‘Having a college education is becoming more and more important. College Awareness Week aims to inspire and inform students of all ages and to get the message across that a college education helps students to fulfil their potential, to acquire new knowledge and meet new people. A college education also helps greatly in securing employment and a decent standard of living. ’
Clive Byrne, Director of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals said, ‘College Awareness Week is all about creating a conversation about post-secondary education plans. We not only want to encourage young people to make college a part of their future plans, but we also want to show those people, who may not normally have considered further education, that it is a viable option for them too.’
Tom Boland, Chief Executive of the Higher Education Authority said, ‘College Awareness Week is a great initiative and I am particularly interested in College Awareness activities which target communities where participation in Higher Education is low.
College Awareness Week is being supported by the Higher Education Authority, the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals, the Confederation of Student Services Ireland and the Trinity Access Programmes.
College Awareness Week would like to gratefully acknowledge AIB and Perrigo for sponsoring this campaign and for their dedication to the betterment of communities and Irish society, through enhanced educational experiences.
ENDS
For further details please contact:
Úna Mulhall, pr360 – [email protected] 087 144 1980 / 01 637 1777
