Career opportunities: three-day conference on higher educational options begins at RDS

THE INCREASED interest in higher education among mature students was highlighted by the Minister of State for Education yesterday.

Seán Haughey was speaking at the opening of The Irish Times/Institute of Guidance Counsellors Higher Options Conference which begins today at the RDS in Dublin.

Higher education was traditionally for school-leavers but, in recent years, mature students have been turning to it, Mr Haughey said. It was vital to make higher education more flexible, education was “never more important” than in these difficult times.

Mr Haughey was urged to ensure there was value for money and genuine routes to progress in Government-funded training for the unemployed.

President of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors Eilis Coakley said the unemployed returning to education needed to have a positive experience.

Organisers have seen an increase in ticket sales to mature students and those seeking to return to work. Some 25,000 prospective students are expected to attend the event at which 180 colleges and educational bodies will exhibit.

Five organisations from the US will be present, including the University of Notre Dame and Oregon State University, along with institutions from Ireland, the UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

The exhibition runs daily from 9am to 3pm till Friday. www.higheroptions.ie