GALWAY, IRELAND – 2026-09-10
Alison is shining the spotlight on how structured online learning can help Irish schools use Transition Year (TY) and Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) to give students greater exposure to career pathways, practical skills and learning opportunities beyond the classroom.
In Preparing Students for Life through TY and LCA Certified, published in the Autumn 2026 edition of Leader, the quarterly magazine of the National Association of Principals & Deputy Principals (NAPD), Alannah Timmins, Alison’s Head of Education for the UK and Ireland, explores how Alison’s TY Certified and LCA Certified programmes can help prepare students for further education, apprenticeships, training, employment and adult life.
The article highlights a challenge: students may leave school with strong academic results yet remain unsure about the careers available to them, the skills employers value, and the opportunities that exist beyond the classroom.
Transition Year and Leaving Certificate Applied provide schools with an opportunity to bridge that gap by giving students more time and flexibility to explore different career pathways, discover new interests and gain practical experience before progressing to further education, apprenticeships, training or employment.
Connecting School Learning With Future Careers
Alison developed TY Certified and LCA Certified as structured online learning programmes that combine practical skills development, employability preparation and student-led exploration.
The programmes provide access to more than 700 pre-curated, curriculum-aligned learning pathways featuring CPD-accredited courses across business, technology, healthcare, sustainability, entrepreneurship, customer service, personal development and a wide range of industry sectors.
For Transition Year students, learning combines workplace preparation with personal choice. Core certifications covering Workplace Health and Safety, Manual Handling, Customer Care and GDPR awareness can help prepare students for work experience while giving them recognised achievements to begin adding to their CVs.
Students are also encouraged to explore subjects that interest them personally. This balance of structure and choice can help develop the self-directed learning habits students will need as they progress through education while also giving them an opportunity to discover interests they may not previously have considered.
A learner who begins with a mandatory workplace course, for example, may go on to explore coding, healthcare, entrepreneurship or graphic design. For some students, these experiences can provide an early introduction to potential career paths and help them make more informed decisions about their future.
For Leaving Certificate Applied students, Alison’s programme complements the practical and vocational nature of LCA. Students can complete courses that support key modules while exploring industries and occupations that interest them.
Learning opportunities cover areas such as customer service, information technology, healthcare, beauty therapy, hospitality ,and entrepreneurship. Alison’s recognised certification gives students tangible evidence of their achievements that can strengthen portfolios, support progression opportunities and build confidence as they consider further education, training or employment.
A defining feature of both programmes is the emphasis on learner agency. Students can access courses at school or at home, progress at their own pace and make decisions about what they want to learn. This flexibility can support different learning styles and abilities while encouraging young people to take greater ownership of their personal and professional development.
Broadening Learning Opportunities Inside and Outside School
For educators and school leaders, TY Certified and LCA Certified provide a scalable and cost-effective way to broaden the learning opportunities available to students. Co-ordinators can schedule assignments in advance, including courses students need to complete ahead of work placements, and monitor progress in real time.
The programmes can support career-related learning, digital skills development, personal growth and student wellbeing while providing measurable outcomes through accredited certification.
The approach is already being put into practice in Irish schools. In the same edition of Leader, educators from Coláiste Bhaile Chláir in Co. Galway describe how Alison has been incorporated into the school’s TY and LCA programmes, alongside bespoke learning pathways for exceptionally able students. The school combines assigned courses with self-directed learning, giving students structure while also allowing them to explore their own interests.
The programmes also extend beyond career preparation to practical skills young people can use throughout their lives.
Through a partnership with Irish Credit Unions, participating schools receive access to four free financial literacy courses for TY and LCA Certified students. Developed specifically for the Irish financial landscape, the courses address topics including phishing, money muling, budgeting, saving, investing, cash management and the effective use of credit and debit facilities.
The aim is to give students practical knowledge that can help them manage money responsibly and recognise common financial risks as they become more independent.
Alison is also creating locally relevant learning opportunities through other partnerships. In 2026, Rethink Ireland will launch its Building a Social Enterprise course through Alison’s programmes for Senior Cycle students. The initiative aims to introduce young people to social entrepreneurship and businesses that combine commercial success with positive community impact.
Preparing Students for What Comes Next
While recognised certification and practical skills are important parts of TY Certified and LCA Certified, the article identifies confidence as another significant outcome.
By exploring new subjects, developing practical skills, earning credentials and discovering potential career paths, students can begin to see possibilities they may not previously have considered.
The combination of accredited learning, financial literacy, real-world experiences and student choice is designed to help young people develop a stronger sense of where they may want to go next. The goal is for students to leave better prepared for work, further learning and life, with a clearer understanding of their strengths, interests and potential.
Founded in Galway in 2007, Alison has grown from an Irish educational innovation into one of the world’s largest free online learning platforms. Today, it supports more than 50 million learners across 193 countries and offers more than 6,000 free courses. Its TY Certified and LCA Certified programmes build on those global learning resources to provide structured programmes designed specifically to support Irish schools, educators and students.
The full article, Preparing Students for Life through TY and LCA Certified, appears in the Autumn 2026 edition of NAPD’s Leader magazine.
ENDS
Resources
For more information about Alison’s TY Certified and LCA Certified programmes, head over to our website or reach out to Alison’s Head of Education for the UK and Ireland, Alannah Timmins, at [email protected].
About Alison
Alison is a global leader in free online learning and skills development. With over 50 million registered Learners across 193 countries (as of October 2025), Alison empowers individuals, communities, and organisations to upskill quickly and effectively – at zero cost.
The Alison platform provides immediate access to over 6,000 free, CPD-accredited courses, covering essential areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Digital Marketing, Project Management, Business Operations, Healthcare and Sustainability. Courses are created by a mix of independent experts and global leaders, including IBM, Stanford and Microsoft.
For organisations, Alison offers a Learning Management System (LMS) that enables employees to access thousands of courses with no upfront cost. A premium version with advanced analytics and customisation is also available.
Alison's offering includes a full suite of assessments and psychometric tools, including a Workplace Personality Assessment, Mental Health & Wellbeing Assessment, English Language Proficiency Test, as well as Numerical, Verbal, and Abstract Reasoning tests. To further support career development, Learners also gain access to a Career Guide, a Resumé Builder, and the ability to study offline through the Alison App.
The platform is also expanding its reach with multilingual versions, starting with complete Spanish, French, and Hindi offerings — reaffirming its mission to make education accessible to anyone, anywhere.
Founded in 2007, Alison pioneered the concept of free, large-scale online learning and is recognised as the world’s first MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) platform. Today, its mission continues: to break down barriers to learning, helping people gain skills, build confidence, and improve their lives — no matter where they live or what they earn.
