Factfile

Employment:

There are about 60 callcentres in the Republic employing more than 6,000 people. A recent IDA survey, based on these companies alone, predicts that the number of employees will double even if no new companies start up here.

Annual salaries:

Starting: £11,000 upwards Team leaders: £18,000 to £20,000 Divisional managers: £25,000 to £30,000

PLC Courses:

International teleservices NCVA level 3 - two-year full-time course with a substantial work placement abroad (German/French/ Spanish/Italian) Teleservices NCVA level 2 - one-year full-time courses without the foreign language component There are no tuition fees for PLC courses and students are eligible to apply for maintenance grants. There is a special grant scheme for international teleservices students who do a 17-week work placement abroad. This provides up to £2,000 per student and covers insurance, 75 per cent of travel costs at the beginning and end of the placement (maximum £300) and £100 per week toward living expenses (maximum £1,700).

Third-level courses:

There are 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.