Hi TU 154,
I might be wrong on this but as far as I know as long as you are enrolled in a recognised course your IR's are still being held. This might give you a little more breathing space concidering the waiting list for courses at the moment. So sign up in April and just wait for the course to come up if you're not sure.
My advise would be to apply to the North Sea operators for a job and tell them you are enrolled in a course but are waiting for a start date. With your hours you should have no preblem getting a job.