By BETTY VEDRINE Bahamas Information Services HUNDREDS of students were given insights into the technical and vocational opportunities available to them. Students from several schools across New Providence participated in the annual Exhibition and Career Symposium held by the Department of Education at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium on Wednesday, February 1. Minister of Education Desmond Bannister officially opened the event. Applauding the efforts of the staff in the Career and Technical Education Section of the Ministry of Education and the Association for Career and Technical Education for staging the event, Mr Bannister said that partnerships like these are needed to ensure students are exposed to a cross-section of careers. "Technological changes occur rapidly, therefore it is imperative for our students to be highly trained and remain on the cutting edge," he said. "For this to happen, our educational system must provide programmes that prepare students to readily embrace potential opportunities in industry and tertiary education." Initially, the fair provided exposure to the technical fields and was previously held at the Town Centre or Marathon Malls. As support grew over the years, the exhibition was transferred to the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium where it has been held since. Among the exhibitors and partners for this year's events were: the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI); Lincoln College of Technology; New England Institute of Technology; National Aviation Academy; Coral Ridge Training School; Ministry of Public Works and Utilities; the Water and Sewerage Corporation; the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas; the Royal Bahamas Defence Force; Lowe's Wholesale Drug Agency Ltd; Bahamas Hot Rod Association; Synergy Bahamas; the College of The Bahamas; the Bahamas Hotel Association; the Bahamas Baptist Community College; Lignum Technologies, and the Department and Ministry of Education.