More students are going directly into the workforce after graduation.
The past decade has seen a move towards more practical degree courses that make people more "job-ready".
That's the opinion of group Chief Executive of FRS Network, Camross' Colin Donnery.
Analysis by the higher Education Authority shows more students are choosing to work after they graduate, as opposed to continuing their studies.
Mr. Donnery says people stay in education longer during recessions:
Laois Rose Praises Support Of Tolu Makay During DWTS Journey
Both Katelyn Cummins and Tolu Makay are competing on this season of Dancing With The Stars Ireland.
Jazz Festival In Laois Town Returns This Weekend
Portlaoise Jazz Festival is back after 30 years.
Offaly County Council Unveil Bat House Project
The house will be located in Edenderry's Blundell Park.
103 Meter St Brigid's Cloak To Be Unveiled in Westmeath This Sunday
Athlone Family Resource Centre is aiming to create a cloak the length of the town's cycleway bridge.
Popular Offaly Charity Walk Returns This Weekend
The Offaly Camino Canal Way Walk kicks off tomorrow morning.
Laois Councillor Calls For Reduced Reliance On AHB'S
Laois councillor Aisling Moran feels less reliance on assisted housing bodies will increase affordable housing supply.
Homelessness Figures In Midlands Fall By 7%
309 adults and children accessed homelessness services last month.
Westmeath Man Who Smothered, Choked And Set Wife On Fire Jailed For Five Years
53 year-old Vaidotas Gedvilas, a Lithuanian national, of Ashefield, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, carried out the three-stage attack after a house party.
Boomtown Rats Join Laois Festival Line-Up
Bob Geldof and the Boomtown Rats is one of this year's headliners for Emo's Forest Fest.
Midlands Homelessness Falls 7% In Latest Report
Figures show over 5,000 children living in emergency accommodation.
Laois County Council Continuing To Monitor Flooding Situation
Water levels have not risen as much overnight according to the Severe Weather Assessment team.
Appeal Lodged Against Proposed Midlands Hospice
John Condron says he is prepared to come up with a solution to withdraw his appeal.
HSE Midlands Encourages People To Consider All Options This Bank Holiday
Injury units are also open this weekend.
Laois School Gets Go Ahead For New Campus Building
Dunamase College accommodates 1,000 students.
World Champion Headlining Snooker Exhibition In Offaly
Ken Doherty and Aaron Hill will be the main event stars at the event.
Midlands Communities Celebrating St. Brigid's Day
There is events taking place across all three counties.
Irish Rail Warns Midlands Commuters Of Bank Holiday Delays
Track and platform upgrades will be carried out between Portarlington and Athlone over the weekend.
€30m Primary Care Centre Gets Planning Approval In Laois
Planning has been granted for the St Fintan’s Hospital campus project.
Two People Hospitalised Following Westmeath Crash
The incident happened in Bunbrosna.
'Cruel' Midlands Stepfather Jailed For 1990s 'House of Horrors' Abuse
Judge Keenan Johnson says the household was run like a workhouse.
