This is FET Lifelong Learning 2024
A report by the Data Analytics Unit in SOLAS
Published: September 2025 (Data for 2024)
Authors: Selen Guerin, Amelia Dulee-Kinsolving
Data sourced from the Programme and Learner Support Systems (PLSS) database, excluding apprenticeship provision and eCollege.
Supported by: SOLAS, Co-funded by the European Union, Rialtas na hÉireann (Government of Ireland)
Website: SOLAS.ie
Enrolments Overview
In 2024, there were 133,639 Lifelong Learning (LLL) enrolments, representing 58.1% of the total learner enrolments.
- Female: 64%
- Male: 36%
- Part-time: 75.1%
- Full-time: 17%
- Online: 8%
Learner Demographics
Start Age Distribution
LLL enrolments were fairly evenly distributed among age bands:
- 25-34: 25.5%
- 35-44: 31.1%
- 45-54: 24.8%
- 55-64: 18.7% (lowest percentage)
Principal Economic Status
The highest percentages of LLL enrolments were among learners who were employed (39.6%) or unemployed (40.1%) prior to enrolment. The remaining 20.3% were inactive.
- Employed: 39.6%
- Unemployed: 40.1%
- Inactive: 20.3% (includes Retired 2.5%, Student/Trainee 2.9%, Engaged in home duties 6.2%, Inactive for other reasons 8.7%)
Note: This is an estimate based on captured principal economic status, with a response rate of 89.8% for LLL enrolments.
Educational Background
Highest Level of Formal Education
In 2024, over one third (33.9%) of LLL enrolments had a third level education when enrolling in a FET course.
| Level of Education | Number of Enrolments | Percentage (LLL) |
|---|---|---|
| Third level | 40,540 | 33.9% |
| Upper secondary | 25,811 | 21.6% |
| Post-secondary non-tertiary | 20,843 | Not specified |
| Lower secondary | 12,248 | Not specified |
| Primary and below | 14,319 | Not specified |
| Short-cycle tertiary education | 5,899 | Not specified |
Note: This is an estimate based on captured previous levels of education, with a response rate of 89.5% for LLL enrolments.
Field of Study (Broad ISCED)
Generic programmes and qualifications accounted for the highest number of learner enrolments.
- Generic programmes and qualifications: 58.6%
- Business and administration and law: 9.5%
- Health and welfare: 9%
- Services: 6%
- ICT: 5.1%
- Engineering, manufacturing and construction: 5.7%
- Arts and humanities: 2.3%
- Education: 2.1%
- Agriculture, forestry, fisheries and veterinary: 1.3%
- Natural sciences, mathematics and statistics: 0.3%
- Social sciences, journalism and information: 0.1%
Note: Learners are unique within ISCED field of study but not necessarily across fields of study.
Qualifications Framework
Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) or Equivalent
The report details enrolments across various NFQ levels and equivalent qualifications.
| Qualification Level | Number of Enrolments |
|---|---|
| Level 1 Certificate | 6,279 |
| Level 2 Certificate | 9,229 |
| Level 3 Certificate | 12,618 |
| Level 4 Certificate | 9,899 |
| Level 4/5 Certificate | 39 |
| Level 5 Certificate | 30,353 |
| Advanced/Higher Certificate | 10,916 |
| Ordinary Bachelor Degree | 7 |
| Honours Bachelor Degree/Higher Diploma | 117 |
| Non-NFQ aligned FET | 11,984 |
Note: This excludes learners enrolled in courses that do not lead to an award through a recognised awarding body.
Definition of Terms
- Certified Completions
- Learner completions that lead to an award through a recognised awarding body in the FET sector.
- Certification Rate
- The proportion of full and partial learner completions who achieved certification to all learners who completed a certified course.
- Completions
- Total number of learners who fully or partially completed their course. Excludes early leavers.
- Enrolments
- Learners who are on course or have completed a course.
- Field of Study
- Defined and categorised by the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED). This report uses broad (2-digit) fields.
- Full Completions
- Learners who have completed 90% or more of the course and its requirements.
- Inactive
- Individuals neither employed nor unemployed, not working, and not available or looking for work. Includes those engaged in home duties, retired, student/trainees, and inactive for other reasons.
- Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)
- A framework for measuring and relating learning achievements based on level of knowledge, skill, and competence. Equivalent levels are assigned where awards are not on the Irish NFQ.
- Learner
- A unique individual who has progressed onto a course. The total number is the sum of all unique individuals in FET.
- Lifelong Learning (LLL)
- Based on the EU measure, refers to adults aged 25-64 years.
- Long-term Unemployed
- Any person unemployed for 12 months or more.
- Non-NFQ Aligned courses
- Completions with certification not aligned with the NFQ.
- Partial Completions
- Learners who have completed more than 25% but less than 90% of a course and its requirements.
- Post-secondary non-tertiary
- Refers to Post Leaving Certificate NFQ Level 4 or 5, Advanced Certificate NFQ Level 6, other non-NFQ aligned FET, Certificate NFQ Level 4, or Certificate NFQ Level 5.
- Short-cycle tertiary education
- Third level non-degree courses, including higher certificate NFQ level 6 and diploma NFQ level 7 courses, usually one year in duration and vocational.
- Third Level
- Refers to Ordinary Bachelor degree, Honours Bachelor degree, Professional, Post-Graduate, Doctorate or Higher degree courses.
Contact Information
For further information, please contact:
Data Analytics Unit, SOLASBlock 1, Castleforbes House
Castleforbes Road, Dublin 1
Email: solasdataanalytics@solas.ie
Website: SOLAS.ie
