CAO updates - September 2023
Just a short note to update you on a few items in advance of the 2024 application season.
1. CAO Handbook 2024
The postal mailing to schools containing 5 CAO Handbooks, a CAO poster and letter, and the HEAR DARE application literature was distributed late last week, so should be with you over the coming days (all schools that were previously registered on our postal mailing list will receive one pack). To view the accompanying letter, please go to the Schools Message Board in the `Guidance/Schools` section of the website.
If you go to www.cao.ie/handbook you can view the PDF and as well as the recently introduced condensed PDFs (by level) of 2024 course listings. The layout of these new PDFs will allow for all of the course listings to be printed on 14 double-sided pages if desired.
The personalised handbook had over 54,000 unique users last year - there have been some changes to the layout and features this year as a result of feedback received, so please do take some time to review the 2024 version when it launches later this month (we will notify you when it becomes available).
2. Guidance Counsellor Resources
The 2024 website will go live in early November, with applications commencing from noon on 6 November. In the Guidance/Schools section of the website, we have updated some of the resources that you may find useful, e.g. 2024 posters. You can locate these resources in the interim by going to the `Guidance Counsellor Resources` section and clicking on the 2024 tab. The remaining resources will be updated and available from 6 November on the 2024 version of the website.
3. Autumn Conferences
The provisional dates for the 2023 CAO Autumn Conferences, in association with the Institute of Guidance Counsellors and the Higher Education Institutions, are:
7 November in Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel
8 November in Radisson Blu Hotel Limerick
14 November in Hillgrove Hotel Monaghan
15 November in Johnstown Estate Enfield respectively.
An online webinar will also be offered on 10 November for those who are unable to attend an in-person event. Full details and an online registration link will be available on the CAO website (Guidance/Schools section) from the 6 October at noon. Online registration will close on 27 October at midnight.
DARE Handbook Correction
Please take note of the insert in the DARE Handbook highlighting a correction to text on page 9 (the reference to 2025 should be 2024).
I look forward to meeting you all at one of the upcoming events in November.
Kind regards,
Eileen Keleghan
