Turn on, tune in

There was a time when there were ample, if somewhat illegal, opportunities for budding DJs and radio producers. There aren't many presenters on the airwaves who didn't start their broadcasting careers in somebody's shed on one of the many pirate stations that used to grace the airwaves. Indeed, the pride and joy of Today FM, Ray D'Arcy, has spoken of the fertiliser bag that protected him from the rain during his first broadcast, at the age of 15.

A crackdown on illegal stations means that such opportunities are limited nowadays, but there is a unique opportunity for transition-year students, in the form of RTÉ's TY Radio. This project, which started last year, is a rare chance to see how radio shows work - and put some together.

Basically, before Christmas, the TY Radio team goes out to schools to conduct day-long workshops with transition-year classes. Maggie Stapleton, executive producer of the project, says: "Rather than the students travelling to the studio, we bring the studio to the students. It's the same kind of set-up that Larry Gogan would have if he's broadcasting from outside the studio."

If the workshop is successful, the class then has the opportunity to submit a programme proposal. If

RTÉ selects the proposal, its

team returns to the school for a full week of making and recording programmes.

"Everybody gets a role, and students really seem to enjoy it," says Stapleton. "Teachers are often really surprised at some of the shyer students coming forward to be involved. Everybody has something to contribute."

Like last year, the programmes will be broadcast on 2fm after Christmas.

The project is funded by the licence fee and is therefore entirely free for schools.

Applications are being accepted by email at tyr@2fm.ie; the application form is available from www.rte.ie/2fm/tyradio, which also provides more details about this and last year's projects. You can also call 01-2082671.