More than 90,000 school leavers, students and job-seekers are expected to attend Fás Opportunities 2006, Europe's biggest career, education and skills exhibition, in Dublin this weekend.
The event, now in its 12th year, was designed to be a one-stop shop for those planning all aspects of their career and education, said Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin, who opened the exhibition in Croke Park yesterday.
Lifelong learning will increasingly become important in the Irish economy, the Minister said.
"In this changing world, it will no longer suffice to make a once-off investment in our skills development in early adulthood. We have to commit to adapting our skills throughout our working lives."
All of the Republic's universities and institutes of technology have stands at the exhibition for visitors considering further education or training.
"I'm interested in doing a leisure management course with Fás because I've done badminton coaching," said 22-year- old Stuart Copland, who was strolling around the exhibition yesterday with his father. "So far this exhibition has been useful."
About 10 per cent of visitors to Opportunities 2006 will be migrant workers seeking to advance their careers in Ireland, according to Fás. Almost half of the 87,000 jobs created here last year were taken up by foreign workers, mostly from Poland.
The career exhibition was advertised in Polish on radio and in the press to attract immigrants to the event. One stand at Opportunities 2006 provided information in Polish, Russian, Chinese and other languages on foreign workers' employment rights in the Republic.
Visitors to the careers showcase are advised to bring their CVs with them, as more than 10,000 jobs are on offer and human resources managers are looking to meet prospective employees at company stands, Fás spokeswoman Caitríona White said.
Forty companies, including Intel, eBay and Dunnes Stores, are recruiting at the exhibition as record employment levels in Ireland create staff shortages.
Even the Catholic Church is hiring at the four-day event.
"Within the church, there are many opportunities for employment in following the Lord," missionary Liam Dunne said.
