Fact File

PLC Courses:

Two-year applied languages and information technology courses are on offer in many PLC colleges.. The qualification is an NCVA level 3 award. The Further Education Section of the Department of Education (tel: (01) 8892428/8892432) has produced a leaflet with a full list of these courses. (Website: www.irlgov.ie/ educ).

There are also one-year full-time courses in call centre operations, which do not require foreign placement, on offer in a number of PLC colleges. These include Cavan College of Further Studies; Cork College of Commerce; Ennis Vocational School; Ringsend Technical Institute; Senior College Ballyfermot; Riversdale Community College, Blanchardstown; Killorglin Community College; Listowel Community College; Limerick Senior College; Drogheda College of Further Studies; Monaghan Institute of Further Education; Greenhills College (VTOS); Wexford Vocational School; Moate Business College, and St Thomas Community College, Bray. Whitehall Senior College, Dublin, also offers telemarketing and a financial course. Some PLC colleges are still accepting applications for first-year students.

Third-level courses:

There is a vast array of third-level courses in the business and marketing area at certificate, diploma and degree level. Many of these include the study of languages and they may also include a year abroad.

Starting salaries:

£11,000 to £14,000 a year.