Careers Fair 2008 will today assist students in determining their future career path, with more than 70 exhibitors ranging from insurers to the hospitality industry to the emergency services.

Up to 3,000 students are expected to attend the two-day event at Bermuda College, which will this year offer information on the Bermuda Regiment, sports careers and marine occupations for the first time.

Youngsters from the Island's high, middle and home schools will be able to get first-hand advice and ask questions about the professions which interest them. The event also aims to attract those people pursuing a change of career.

Dr. Duranda Greene, Bermuda College President, said at a press conference yesterday: "Our mission is to set Bermuda students on the path to success and what better way than to bring students to this campus to choose what careers may suit them."

Dr. Derrick Binns, representing the Department of Labour and Training, said: "The Careers Fair fits in very nicely with what we at Government are trying to do – which is workforce development for the entire country. Part of that process will be to encourage people to look at their careers and see what suits them and what their development might be.

"We encourage every single student to come to the Fair, to find out what may match them."

Dr. Henry Johnson, Bermuda's consultant executive officer for education, said: "On behalf of the Ministry of Education we are pleased to be a partner in this effort. I think this is a wonderful endeavour."

Ralph Richardson, Executive Director of the Ace Foundation – the event's primary sponsor – said each year an exit survey aims to determine which careers students want to see represented the following year.

"We get more requests for cosmetology than any other occupation, so we are trying to get them to come every year," said Mr. Richardson.

"Another request we get is for marine science and so we will be talking to the BIOS station, BUEI and the Bermuda Zoological Society about the possibility of doing the Careers Fair as an association group.

"We also get performing arts requested, so these are some of the occupations we are still working on."

He said this year the Ministry of Education will provide a booth for those interested in sports-related professions such as physiotherapy. The Bermuda Sloop Foundation will also be present to talk about marine occupations.

Another attraction will be world-renowned extreme artist Jean-Francois Detaille, who uses his hands to create portraits within seconds.

Alan Thompson, CEO and President of sponsor the Bank of Butterfield, said: "Events like the Careers Fair help the younger generation to start planning early for their career. Competition out there is getting tougher and tougher, so every year it becomes more important for young people to start networking early and to make a decision on a career which is right for them.

"I encourage every student to come to the Careers Fair 2008."

The Careers Fair is sponsored by Ace, The Ministry of Education, National Training Board, Butterfield Bank, Aspen, the Department of Labour and Training, Swiss Re, HWP Group, Argo Group, Belco, Gibbons Company and the Bermuda College.

Careers Fair 2008 takes place today and tomorrow at Bermuda College between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.