About 20 per cent of the 600 participants at the Career 2008 & Education 2008 were either offering jobs or courses in the field - another sign that the industry is among the hottest in Singapore right now.

About 1,000 jobs and a myriad of training courses in tourism and hospitality are awaiting takers at the fair in the Suntec convention centre.

The InterContinental Hotels Group, for instance, has more than 60 positions available - ranging from housekeeping attendants to sales managers.

On the education front, Australia's Murdoch University, which expects about 400 new students, predicts that about a quarter will take up its tourism programmes.

According to Minister of State for Education and Manpower Gan Kim Yong, who spoke at the opening ceremony, opportunities are being generated by the upcoming integrated resorts, hotels and shopping malls, as well as conventions and events such as the Formula One race.

By all accounts, Singaporeans are jumping at the chance to work in the industry - there is an overwhelming demand for polytechnic courses in tourism and hospitality management, for example.

The Singapore Tourism Board, which took up about 5 per cent of booths at the exhibition, expects some 50,000 to 60,000 additional tourism jobs to be created by 2010. There are currently 170,000 to 180,000 tourism jobs in Singapore.

Other industries - from marine engineering and aerospace to banking and health care - are also represented at the fair, which was initiated by the Ministry of Education, and jointly organised by Singapore Professional Centre and IIR Exhibitions.

The fair will be held till Sunday at Suntec's halls 601 to 603, level 6. Admission is free.