WHEN Avril Power took a job as an assembly line operative at M/A Com Eurotec in Cork city 13 years ago, she never suspected her career would lead her into third-level education. Now in her early thirties, she is one of the hundreds of mature students to benefitted from the establishment in January 1997 of an 18-month certificate course in manufacturing technology.

Power admits to a flutter of trepidation when her employers offered her the opportunity to enroll in the programme at Cork IT. "I thought - oh God, what am I getting myself into! At the beginning I found it quite intimidating. But it wasn't long before I got settled in. I'm really enjoying the course now and I've made a lot of good friends."

She has worked with M/A Com Eurotec since it first opened a manufacturing base on Leeside in 1986. The company supplies specialist electronic components to mobile phone manufacturers. Roughly 50 percent of the 166 employees work on the assembly line.

In the mid-Nineties, Power was promoted to production team leader. She excelled at her job and in 1996 was sent on a FAS course in training and development. Her return to education whetted her appetite for further learning. When the company advertised for two volunteers to study for the technicians certificate course, she jumped at the chance.

"It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I wasn't sure how I would take to third-level education, but it was too good a chance to miss." The programme comprises two in-college lecture blocks and a six-month industry placement. M/A Com Eurotec pays Power's salary during her time at Cork IT.

She is enjoying the course and is impressed with its emphasis on the practical. "I did wonder during the first term whether what we were being taught would apply to a working environment. When I went back to M/A Com for my six-month industry placement I was amazed to see how relevant it was."

Power is now itching to complete the programme and get on with her career. The company has yet to decide how it will deploy her when she returns to work but her new qualifications will make her an invaluable - and flexible - asset.

"I feel the course has opened new doors for me. I feel that I'm now in control of my career and can pursue whatever direction interests me."

M/A Com Eurotec , a US maker of electronic parts for mobile phones, set up in 1985. Half of 170 employees are in manufacturing, the rest in technical support, marketing and administration.