County Louth VEC - Choiste Gairmoideachais Chontae Lú

Junior and Senior Second Level Courses at:

• Bush Post Primary School, Riverstown, Dundalk
• O'Fiaich College, Dublin Road, Dundalk
• St. Olivers Community College, Drogheda
• Scoil Uí Mhuirí, Dunleer

Post Leaving Certificate Courses at:

• Drogheda Institute of Further Education
• O'Fiaich College of Further Education

Other Services offered by Co. Louth VEC include:

• Day and night classes in various centres
• Outreach community education programmes
• Return to education programmes for adults
• Administration and processing of third level scholarships and grants
• Provision of Youthreach programme for early school leavers
• Provision of Traveller education
• Administration of the School transport Service for Co. Louth
• Development of School Buildings

County Louth VEC was established by the Vocational Education Act of 1930. It was the successor to the Technical Instruction Committees established by the Agriculture and Technical Instruction (Ireland) Act 1899. In January 1998 Town of Drogheda VEC and County Louth VEC amalgamated. County Louth VEC is now the state education service provider for the whole county.

Originally each Vocational Education Committee was elected by the county, borough or urban district council and consisted partly of councillors and partly of persons with an "interest and experience in education" and who could be recommended by bodies "interested in manufacture or trades". However the Vocational Education (Amendment) Act of 2001 changed the composition of Vocational Education Committees, and parents of students under 18 enrolled in VEC schools and centres and members of the VEC staff are also entitled to elect committee members. Members can also be appointed to represent the interests of students, voluntary organisations, community organisations, Irish language interests and business.

The original purpose of the committees was to administer continuation and technical education for 14 to 16 year-olds. Continuation education was defined as "general and practical training in preparation for employment in trades", while technical education was described as "pertaining to trades, manufacturers, commerce and other industrial pursuits". To this end the VECs were charged with the duty of setting up and maintaining vocational schools.

Over the years the services provided by County Louth VEC have changed significantly and it now provides a wide range of services in second-level, further education, adult education, second chance education, youth, sport and other activities. There are now four second level schools under the auspices of the VEC within the County and two Colleges of Further Education. County Louth VEC also manages two Youthreach centres, a Traveller Training Centre and provides Adult Literacy, Adult Education and Community Education throughout the County.