Studyclix reveals alarming statistics over Kildare students

A recent study has called for more funding for guidance counsellors, revealing Kildare students' fears over CAO choices, housing availability, emigration and use of AI.

The study, by Ireland's most popular teaching and learning tool, Studyclix, is calling on the government to better resource essential career guidance after a nationwide Studyclix survey of 1,300 sixth-year students revealed that many are failing to get sufficient one-on-one time with their guidance counsellor, while four in ten say they are unsure whether their CAO choices are right for them.

In Kildare, the study revealed some startling statistics.

It found that 68% of Kildare students did not expect to be able to buy a home in the county – more than the national average. 51% of Kildare students are likely to emigrate (below the national average of 54%). 37% of Kildare students said the cost of living was a major factor, above the national average (34%). And, alarmingly, 47% of Kildare students say it is unlikely they will work locally, higher than the national average (40%).

READ MORE: Kildare ranked third most expensive county when it comes to house prices

An estimated 60,000 sixth-year students will have submitted their Central Applications Office (CAO) applications to undergraduate courses by February 6, underlining the pressure on students to make key choices on their learning and career paths.

Luke Saunders, a former secondary school teacher and co-founder of Studyclix, believes the survey results showing the level of uncertainty in young people are "no surprise" given cuts to guidance counsellor hours in recent years. The survey also highlighted that some students are turning to private guidance counsellors due to the lack of support in school.

Guidance counsellors

Leaving Cert students are struggling to get adequate one-to-one time with their guidance counsellor, according to the Studyclix survey, with six in ten (60%) reporting having only one meeting with their guidance counsellor since beginning sixth year. Almost one in five (18%) said that they have either had no meeting with their guidance counsellor or met them only in a group setting.

With four in ten (40%) saying that they are unsure if they’re making the right choice on their CAO form, uncertainty is driving some to pursue alternative options. More than one in six (15%) said that they have worked with a private guidance counsellor outside of school to help them decide on their choices on the CAO form.

Luke said: "The guidance counsellor is a vital member of school staff, with responsibilities for teaching careers classes, helping students with CAO and UCAS forms, supporting student with mental health issues.

"The fallout of the 2008 economic recession saw dramatic cuts to guidance counsellor hours in many small schools, with guidance counsellors also forced to take on a certain number of subject teaching hours. It’s no surprise that most students feel they do not have enough time with their guidance counsellor.

"This has created a situation in which students are embarking on the wrong college courses, leading to drop outs. The government should invest in giving schools a greater allocation of guidance counsellor time so that counsellors can provide sufficient support to students."

Housing and cost of living

The survey found that students are factoring housing availability into their plans for third-level education, with one in three (34%) reporting that rent, and the cost-of-living are major factors in where they choose to attend university. These concerns are more acute for students from rural counties such as Clare (52%) and Waterford (56%).

Kildare

More than half (55%), meanwhile, say that they plan to live at home while attending third-level education. The figure is higher in counties Dublin (84%), Cork (67%) and Kildare where 64% plan to stay at home.

Kildare students rely heavily on family homes but remain sceptical about local career prospects, with 47% saying it’s unlikely they will work locally, showing limited confidence in local jobs.

Apprenticeships

The survey highlights a collective disinterest among sixth-year students in apprenticeships or trades, partly as they are not getting enough information about this important career choice. Just one in 20 respondents (5%) say they are considering apprenticeships or trades. And despite a massive Government push in recent years to promote them, more than four in ten (44%) students say that they haven’t been given enough information about alternatives to university.

Emigration

More than half (55%) of sixth-year students surveyed said that they were or highly likely to emigrate after finishing university. This figure was highest in Waterford (70%), Louth (65%), Donegal (64%) and Mayo (61%). In counties with big cities, Dublin had the lowest emigration intent (51%).