AN INCREASING number of schools and colleges are offering Post Leaving Cert courses in the leisure and recreation area. ILAM lists more than 20 PLC courses and can provide details of course structure, awards and work experience.

Cavan College of Further Studies, for example, offers a one-year PLC which leads to an NCVA level-2 award. On the practical side, students do sport and recreation, as well as exercise and fitness modules. Those who complete the advanced exercise and fitness module are eligible to apply, later, for a conversion course (80 hours instead of the full 300 hours) to a national certificate in exercise and fitness, which allows them to work as instructors.

Students in Cavan also do basketball, soccer and Gaelic games coaching and work towards lifeguard first-aid qualifications. They also study accounting and marketing for the leisure industry as well as communications.

Graduates of the course may go on to do the NCEF qualification; they can also go to regional technical colleges or English colleges to continue their studies, or they may find work directly - typically in health clubs and leisure centres.

Course co-ordinator Mary McEnroe recently completed a thesis on the development of recreation and leisure PLCs (as part of an add-on degree in Waterford RTC). She says recognition of PLC qualifications has increased greatly.