THE PROPERTY and construction industry is going through a boom period at present so job opportunities in associated areas such as auctioneering and estate agency have increased

Tom Dunne, acting head of the department of surveying in DIT Bolton Street, says that while construction and property are cyclical and job prospects vary with the market this should be put in context. "Good students leaving our courses have never had problems finding jobs, even in the worst recession," he explains.

Employers outside the traditional agencies include large companies such as Aer Rianta and CIE with substantial property holdings that must be managed. Another growth area is new shopping centre developments which require input at the design stage, from cost construction and evaluation basics to lease structuring.

In Ireland, becoming an auctioneer does not necessarily have to involve study or exams as anyone can apply to the courts for an auctioneer's licence there is no requirement for an academic qualification. In practice, most people entering the auctioneering business in recent years have done a related course.

In the Republic there are third level courses available in the DIT and Limerick and Galway regional technical colleges, while three Post Leaving Certificate colleges offer courses. The University of Ulster also has a degree programme.

There is an increasing trend along students to proceed to degree level qualifications. Of the 29 graduates of the property economics diploma in Galway RTC last year, 19 proceeded to degree courses, mainly in the UK.

Students of PLC courses may also finish up in degree programmes or, indeed, in master's courses. Peter Brady, director of the course in the College of Commerce, Cork, says that three former students are now pursuing master's programmes in Glamorgan University in Wales.

Dunne says that most students progress from the certificate to the diploma but some get jobs directly. They may go on to study part time and take the full membership exams of the Society of Chartered Surveyors, he says. Of those who proceed to the diploma, most enter the property economics degree in DIT Bolton Street or degree programmes in England.

Graduates of the property economics degree may go to further study, for instance, the master's in urban and rural town planning in UCD. While admission to third level courses is purely on the basis of points obtained in the Leaving Certificate, students should be self motivated and have an entrepreneurial approach to life and good communication skills, he says.

PLC courses usually select students on the basis of Leaving Certificate results and an interview. Brady says that students must have a pass Leaving Certificate with two Ds at higher level or equivalent.

"We would expect that students would have spoken to practitioners and we require a letter from them guaranteeing that they will take the students for two weeks unpaid work experience," says Brady.

There are 96 places total on the IPAV certificate courses in Cork College of Commerce and Dun Laoghaire Senior College. There are 25 places on a one year follow on diploma which is offered in Cork College of Commerce and validated by the University of Glamorgan. IPAV graduates from both courses may apply. Students who successfully complete the diploma may proceed to a degree in the University of Glamorgan.