In the early 1990s there were no call centres in Ireland. Today, IDA figures show more than 6,000 people are employed in some 60 centres.

And it is predicted that the sector will continue to grow. An IDA spokesman says up to 10,000 people will be employed in this area in coming years.

At operator level, the job usually involves using a telephone and personal computer. Jobs in international teleservices usually require a high level of fluency in one or more Continental European languages. Up to one third of employees in call centres are non- Irish nationals who are employed for their language proficiency. Starting salaries are in the region of £11,000 to £14,000 per annum.

Teleservices spans sales, technical and customer support for hardware and software, reservations and customer care for airlines, car rental companies, hotels and other accommodation businesses. Some centres conduct all of their business in English while others require a language, usually German, French, Italian or Spanish. At the higher end of the market, applicants might need a third-level computing qualification to work in technical support while the reservation companies are usually looking for Post Leaving Certificate rather than third-level graduates.

One of the most frequently expressed concerns is the image of the job as unexciting, monotonous and lacking in progression. The human resources director of the Teleservices Forum of Ireland, Elizabeth Nunan, says that there is career development, with operators progressing to team leader and supervisor level and branching out. Courses at PLC or third-level which include languages, business or information technology, are all useful qualifications if you are interested in a job in teleservices. There is a two-year Post Leaving Certificate course which has been developed by the Department of Education to educate students for jobs in the teleservices industry.

There are 37 centres offering these courses. Ger Melia, national manager for development, support and industrial liasion, says interested students can find out about courses by contacting their local VEC or looking at the website www.irlgov.ie/educ.

While PLC courses do not award places on the basis of Leaving Certificate points, there is a requirement of a minimum of a grade B3 in both ordinary-level English and one continental language in the Leaving Certificate or equivalent.

The programme includes 15 hours' languages per week as well as information technology, communications and business. Students spend 17 weeks on placement in France, Germany, Spain or Italy. Melia says that in future, many of the placements abroad will be sourced through companies located in Ireland with sister companies abroad.

There is a non-means-tested grant of £2,000 available for this placement. This is paid in addition to any other grant a student may be eligible for. It covers 75 per cent of travel costs up to a maximum of £300 and £100 a week. This placement energises students, according to Melia, they come back more focused and enthusiastic.

PLC students are eligible to apply for means-tested maintenance grants which are paid at rates equivalent to those paid to third- level students.

There are no tuition fees for these courses. However there may be fees for books, student services, exams and certification from the NCVA.

Melia says prospective students should be aware that the course is wider than teleservices. Graduates will have a high level of fluency in a continental language. There are also jobs in areas such as airlines, retail, tourism and multinational and indigenous companies which want to liaise with Europe, she says.

Nunan says that the Teleservices Forum, which represents more than 30 companies, is very supportive of this programme which has been designed in close liaison with industry.