Would-Be concert promoters to be given chance to learn the trade. Fas, the state training agency, is launching its first course for would-be concert promoters.

The agency, which is being re branded as Solas, has approached John Reynolds, the founder of the Electric Picnic festival, to be a lecturer on the 30 week course that will unveil the secrets of the concert business. "We hope to have this course running within the next four weeks", said John Costello, who is responsible for training at the Fas centre in Athlone. "We think something like this meets the labour market's needs. It's different and it will allow a small group of people to acquire and develop skills that will enable them to work in an area that is both creative and interesting."

The Fas course will have an intake of 20 students in its first year. People who are interested in attending must apply at their local Fas office and those who complete it will be awarded a Further Education and Training Awards Council qualification.

Lecturers will include experts in event management and sound engineering. The course will look at reasons why some festivals do not succeed and identify potential pitfalls.

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Full Article, by Siobhan Maguire, in The Sunday Times, 27/05/12