The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, was aiming for the stars yesterday. But his out-of-this-world experience at the official opening of FÁS Opportunities 2002 at the RDS in Dublin had nothing to do with the upcoming election or opinion polls showing Fianna Fáil high in orbit over other parties.

Instead, a live satellite link to the International Space Station took place during the official opening. Astronauts aboard the station extended their best wishes to the Taoiseach and all involved at the career, education and skills exhibition. "We hope more and more young Irish people will look to science as a career that is exciting, rewarding and offers great travel opportunities," said one of the crew.

Stimulating and encouraging young people to make a career in the field of science and technology is regarded as an important step in helping to address the skills shortage in this area.

Minister of State for Science, Technology and Commerce, Mr Noel Treacy, said the use of outer space as a medium for generating interest among young people was under-utilised, and he was confident the exhibition would provide a boost to getting more young people involved in the area.

Also on hand to provide students with an insight into science and technology was much-travelled French astronaut, Mr Jean-François Clervoy. With three space shuttle missions completed to date and a background in science, aircraft design and testing, Mr Clervoy was the perfect model to educate the next generation on the opportunities on offer and benefits to be gained.

"It is very exciting to work in a scientific field. Science is a typical activity where you have to think, to invent, where you have to have a very strong imagination and it's very hands on," he said.

More than 100,000 people are expected to visit the exhibition which runs until February 4th, with almost 200 companies, organisations and institutional establishments, such as Microsoft, Dell, Kerry Group, Hibernian Insurance, EBS Building Society, BIM and the Defence Forces taking part.

Many employers said there had been keen interest among the school leavers, graduates and job seekers attending the exhibition.