CAO points are set to substantially increase this August, with the Central Applications Office expected to reach the highest level of applicants ever on record this year.
According to a report in the Irish Times, 63,554 applicants registered with the CAO in January – an increase of more than 2,300 students seeking to attend a third level institution in 2016.
Following the pattern of applicant registration, it is now believed more than 80,000 students will sign up to the CAO system for the first time since its establishment 40 years ago.
The high demand for places will likely see a steep increase in the entry-level requirements for popular courses in business, technology and science at third level.
The Irish Times added that the news comes as the Government prepare to launch a 10-year national skills strategy later this week, which will see alternative training in apprenticeships and internships introduced as alternative routes into the workforce.
