Revamp of CAO system published Updated / Monday, 8 Mar 2021 16:27 Minister Simon Harris said there needs to be a new process that shows them all of the options The way in which students apply for third-level education is to be overhauled to include a connected system for a wider range of further education options and apprenticeships. The new process has been announced as part of the publication of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science's three-year plan. The current system run by the Central Application Office, an independent body owned by third-level institutions, does not include options for apprenticeships or further education and training (FET).