Croke Park gears up for four-day careers fair

CROKE PARK is usually associated with dramatic finals, but it could be the location for exciting new beginnings at a careers and education event next weekend.

More than 90,000 people are expected to attend the four-day FÁS Opportunities 2006 Fair which kicks off next Friday. Leading employers will be in attendance to meet prospective workers first hand.

Third-level, further-education and private colleges from around the country will also be represented to provide information about their wide range of full-time and part-time courses.

The fair, taking place at the Croke Park conference centre, will be organised around a series of ‘villages’ featuring different themes. These will include a careers village, a skills village, an education village and an employment mobility village for information on living and working in Ireland and other EU countries.

An organiser said: “We expect visitors to the showcase will range from those starting their careers, those seeking further education to those considering new job opportunities.”

Visitors can try their hand at many practical skills, including the chance to sit in the hot seat and become a live TV presenter at the FÁS media training exhibit.

Those interested in a trade can try their hand at activities such as plastering or brick-laying, while sports and leisure enthusiasts interested in a high-energy career can find out more from the sports instructors on the FÁS leisure facilities course.

Free seminars over the four days will offer career planning, information on training and educational options, with topics such as FÁS apprenticeships, writing an impressive CV and how to perfect your interview technique.

There will be no admission charge for the event - running from Friday, February 24, until Monday, February 27.

Further information is available at www.fas.ie or by calling 01 6070500.